A walk around Liverpool ONE
Liverpool ONE, the largest urban regeneration project in Europe, epitomises the rebirth of Liverpool’s increasingly vibrant city centre.
A walk around the £1bn project unveils the work of many of the world’s most innovative architects; as well as a plethora of hidden gems and considerate renovations, enhancing our city’s historical and cultural heritage.
So, if you have a spare half hour, why not take a self-guided tour around Liverpool ONE?
Starting at the Information Centre, turn right along Wall Street until you reach HMV. Head up the escalators on the left, and up a set of stairs on the right. All levels are accessible by lift.
You’re now on Chavasse Park, our five-acre oasis of calm in the heart of the city.
The original park has been completely re-landscaped, has been raised by 50m to facilitate the 2000 capacity car park underneath and offers breathtaking views of the historic waterfront. The beautiful lawn gives way to a stunning piece of glass and concrete architecture that shows the inner workings of Liverpool ONE as you look down through the very glass you’re standing on.
Head towards the far side of Chavasse Park and take the winding footpath or stairs leading down to The Strand. To the right you’ll notice the Cesar Pelli-designed One Park West apartments. Its silhouette represents a huge ship paying homage to the maritime history of the city.
Now turn back on yourself away from the Dock and head up Thomas Steers Way. With the new 4* Hilton hotel to your right it’ll soon be the perfect place to do a little bit of celeb spotting.
Continue up towards John Lewis with the Sugarhouse Steps on your left and you’ll see a small circular silver coloured railing on the right, probably with a few inquisitive onlookers peering down though the floor. What you’ve stumbled across here is the original dock wall of Liverpool Dock – the oldest commercial dock in the world, and this represents the very beginnings of the city as a world renowned port. It was a major feature in an episode of Channel 4’s Time Team and continues to fascinate tourists and locals alike.
Now pass in front of John Lewis and head towards Paradise Place, Liverpool ONE’s biggest pedestrianised thoroughfare. Before passing ahead into the fashion district of Manesty’s Lane look to your right to the Sony shop on the left hand side of Paradise Street. Up on high is a beautifully restored statue of an American eagle that once represented a pub of the same name located there. It’s a symbol of the enduring relationship between Liverpool and its US partners across the ocean.
Heading up Manesty’s Lane towards College Lane you’ll notice that this is the home of many of Liverpool ONE’s boutique shops. Turn right on to College Lane and you’ll come across another gem of Liverpool ONE – the discreet back entrance to The Bluecoat, one of the oldest surviving buildings in the city centre.
If you enter The Bluecoat and pass through the quadrangle you can turn left into School Lane. At Jigsaw turn left into Peter’s Lane where you’ll find plenty of fashion inspiration from some of the world’s top designers as well as TopShop’s flagship Northern store.
Turn right into College Lane and ahead you will see the zig-zag staircase and escalators that will take you up to the ODEON cinema and Leisure Terrace where there's a great variety of restaurants, bars and cafes offering culinary delights from around the globe.
The Leisure Terrace is the perfect place to stop, relax and unwind whilst watching the world drift by.