The historic boulevard at Princes Avenue in Toxteth, Liverpool 8, has undergone a dramatic transformation.
The project was part of a redevelopment scheme called Sustainable Transport Enhancement Package (STEP), which included the creation of a cycle lane through the centre of the Toxteth boulevard along a main route from the city into South Liverpool.
For the scheme, Hardscape supplied:
· Magma and Mist granite paving and setts for the main walkway areas of the boulevard, including Mist granite edgings and corner units with Jinan Blue granite kerbed areas.
· Yellow Rock polished granite plinths inlayed with polished Crystal Black granite lettering.
· Crystal Black granite ‘L’ feature sculpture polished and sandblasted to reveal artwork.
· Kobra Granite artwork with a flamed and picked design into polished slabs with bronze inserted lettering.
· Kobra Granite plinth polished and flamed finish with bronze inset design and grooved ‘sun burst’ with yellow painted lettering.
Working for the Liverpool City Council and Toxteth Community, IP Surfaces worked collaboratively with BCA Landscape and product supplier Hardscape to design, develop and create a new look boulevard that includes public art with installations designed through community consultation, including schools, that reference aspects of L8’s community and religious heritage and the legacy of Liverpool as a major port.
The creative elements include an etching of a 19th century Toxteth map on a sculptured ‘L’ granite block to sit alongside an existing ‘8’ sculpture. There is a ‘Princes Boulevard’ plinth with bronze strips and painted elements; bronze inlays with three Nelson Mandela quotes; artwork etched into the paving, including a ‘welcome mat’ with bronze insets.
Also, at the start of the boulevard is an empty plinth, with a plaque explaining it was once occupired by a statue of William Huskisson, a key figure in Liverpool’s involvement in the slave trade. The statue was re-moved in the 1980s by L8 activists.
There is also an art installation on the floor in front of a tree representing the South African Tree of Life.
A variety of texturing techniques have been applied to the stone by IPS, which managed and advised the design team and the contractor.
The main challenges came from redesigning two junctions, which meant the granite design and procure-ment had to be in stages, with overlapping areas that required acute management of materials and pro-gramme procurement.
The work has created a galvanising location for outdoor activities and community events.
- PROJECT: Princes Avenue STEP Scheme, Liverpool
- LOCATION: Toxteth, Liverpool L8
- CLIENT: Liverpool City Council and Toxteth Community
- DESIGNERS: BCA Landscape, Liverpool
- CONTRACTOR: NMCN
- MANUFACTURER: IP Surfaces Ltd
- SUPPLIER: Hardscape Products Ltd
