First look inside Wirral Waters' Miller's Quay apartments

The £130m scheme, when fully completed, will feature 500 highly sustainable and energy efficient waterfront rental flats.

It is named in reference to the historical use of the site as a flour mill and a copper-rolling mill with ‘Quay’ symbolising a positive change which echoes the dock’s industrial past, while reclaiming the waterfront for the local community.

Work on phase one, containing 150 one- and two-bedroom homes, is due to finish at the end of the month, when the site will be handed over for visits by potential renters. 

The third-floor corridor inside one of the Miller’s Quay apartment blocks (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest) Phase two, the final 350 new homes, is due to be ready early next year.

During a media tour of the site today (Tuesday, July 9), it was possible to see the work on phase one underway, as well as progress on phase two.

Earlier this year, Global real estate advisor, JLL, was appointed by Peel Waters as the marketing, lettings and management agent for Miller’s Quay.

Entrance hall at Miller’s Quay apartment block that will be open for viewing by potential renters later this month (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest)

Interior of show flat in a Miller’s Quay apartment block (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest) With 100 affordable new homes included, the residential scheme is, according to Wirral Waters developer Peel L&P, "delivering high levels of sustainability and social impact".

Inside show flat at one of Miller’s Quay apartment blocks (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest) Inside show flat at one of Miller’s Quay apartment blocks (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest) Inside show flat at one of Miller’s Quay apartment blocks (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest)

Throughout its construction, a wide range of unique learning and employment opportunities have engaged the local community and students at neighbouring Wirral Met College.

Work continues on what will be the gym at Miller’s Quay (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest) Wirral Waters’ developer, Peel Waters, and its funding partner, Pension Insurance Corporation plc ), along with construction firm GRAHAM, Homes England, and Wirral Council have all been instrumental in the delivery of Miller’s Quay, which is the single biggest development to date at Wirral Waters.

Work underway on Miller’s Quay site in Birkenhead this week (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest) Part of the £130m Miller’s Quay scheme which, when completed, will feature 500 highly sustainable and energy efficient waterfront flats (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest)

Part of the £130m Miller’s Quay scheme which, when completed, will feature 500 highly sustainable and energy efficient waterfront flats (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest)

View from the balcony of show flat at one of Miller’s Quay apartment blocks (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest) View from the balcony of show flat at one of Miller’s Quay apartment blocks (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest) Richard Mawdsley, director of development at Wirral Waters, said: "We are hugely excited to see the progress made at Millers Quay and to be so close to the completion of Phase One of this highly sustainable waterside development.

"We are really proud of the whole delivery team, including the main contractor GRAHAM. Not only is Wirral's first build to rent scheme on time and on budget,  around 75% of the thousands of workers who have contributed live locally, ensuring the local communities have directly benefitted from this £130m project.

"The scheme looks great inside and out and we can't wait to cut the ribbon and welcome the first residents in the coming weeks."

The site of what will eventually become a supermarket at Miller’s Quay (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest)

Rental costs range from £650 to £1,800 a month and, according to Peel there has been "lots of interest from potential buyers, mainly in the local area" and "hundreds of enquiries" about the properties.

An estimated 350-400 people worked on the development each day. Around 400 students from nearby Wirral Metropolitan College were also given work experience.