Brock Carmichael is proud to have created one of the first properly designed PRS projects in the country and the first in Liverpool, whilst helping to deliver one of the key projects in the Liverpool City Council’s Strategic Investment Framework Delivery Plan for 2013-16. Phase 1 was completed in 2016 and fully let and now Phase 2 is underway which will add two 8 storey residential blocks located either side of the existing graving Dock. It will provide: 257 apartments / 6 Townhouses / A residents’ pavilion with communal resident amenities and lounge / Co-working spaces / State-of-the-art gym / Additional car parking spaces / Secure cycle spaces / External amenity space / New pedestrian and vehicular entrances / Access to car club and cycle facilities / The purpose built building dates from 1992 and was vacated due to government re-organisation. Phase 1 involved a change of use from offices to residential to provide a total of 240 units comprising one, two and three bedroom and studio apartments plus a community hub, children’s play area and associated external works. Attention to detail made The Keel stand out as one of the most desirable places to live both in terms of its design and specification as well as the quality and standard of its on site management. The quality of the reception areas and the provision of “look out” spaces on each of the upper levels provides all residents with social areas and stunning views of the River and the City which set new standards for the rental sector in Liverpool. Residents of The Keel are able to enjoy a fantastic lifestyle that combines in a unique development the benefits of living in the City with the desirability of a waterside location and the serenity and security of a large landscaped site. Brock Carmichael provides full architectural concept and technical design for the project and key to the success has been a layout that maximised the floor space and was commercially viable, whilst also capturing the unique features of the building, its site and its setting. One of our key challenges was the scale of the building for Phase 1, which provides in excess of 250,000 sqft of floor space. We needed to transform the institutional look and feel of the building both internally and externally. Brock Carmichael worked very closely with Glenbrook Property and investors to tailor the design and specification to the special requirements of the PRS investment market and the lifestyle needs of residents. We produced a Design Guide setting out details of requirements for PRS developments, which can be used to guide brief partners and design teams working on future PRS developments or appraising existing schemes as potential PRS opportunities.