Work completed on first apartments at Millers Quay

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.

Millers Quay, part of Wirral Waters dockside regeneration, symbolises 'a positive change which echoes the dock’s industrial past, while reclaiming the waterfront for the local community' (Image: If we ran the zoo PR) Celebrations took place at Wirral Waters on Thursday, July 18, to mark the practical completion of the first 150 highly sustainable waterside apartments at Millers Quay.

Residents will shortly move into the one- and two-bedroom apartments within phase one, which includes blocks 'Copper Mill' and 'Steam Yard'.

The development is described as a 'cornerstone residential scheme of 500 new homes across six buildings' that is 'transforming the Left Bank of the River Mersey' and is 'an exemplar in brownfield regeneration'.

Millers Quay is the single biggest development to date at Wirral Waters, thought to be the largest regeneration project of its kind in the UK. Millers Quay, once complete will also include 100 affordable new homes.

Phase two, the final 350 new homes, within blocks that will be known as Soda Factory, Salt House, Glaze Works and Lime Studio, are expected to be complete early next year.

The first apartment block (left) at Millers Quay that will now be open for viewing by potential buyers in the coming weeks (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest) Millers Quay is part of the emerging Northbank neighbourhood at Wirral Waters, where, according to Peel, 'contemporary and sustainable urban living is surrounded by green spaces and dockside walks'.

Representatives at the celebrations marking the end of work on phase one included those from Peel, its funding partner, Pension Insurance Corporation plc (“PIC”), construction firm GRAHAM, Homes England, Wirral Council, and staff and students from Wirral Met College.

All all been described as 'instrumental' in the delivery of Millers Quay.

Designed in collaboration with award-winning architects Howells, Millers Quay offers, according to Peel, 'striking architecture, drawing inspiration from the vibrant colours, metalwork, and warehouses that defined the area's 19th Century industrial heritage'.

Interior of show flat in first apartment block at Millers Quay that will now be open for viewing by potential buyers in the coming weeks (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest) During construction, a wide range of unique learning and employment opportunities have engaged the local community and students at neighbouring Wirral Met College.

Richard Mawdsley, development director at Wirral Waters, said: "We are very proud to mark this special moment in Wirral Waters’ history with the practical completion of the first phase of this mammoth project.

Interior of show flat in first apartment block at Millers Quay that will now be open for viewing by potential buyers in the coming weeks (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest) “The impact that this development has had on local construction students and the local community over the last couple of years is truly inspiring and the innovation and skills learnt around green methods of construction will benefit many future generations too.

"This great work continues as we look forward to completing phase two early next year.”

View from third floor show flat in first apartment block (left) at Millers Quay that will now be open for viewing by potential buyers in the coming weeks (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest) James Agar, head of Long Income at PIC, said: "Millers Quay exemplifies the ideal partnership of a long-term investor, a highly experienced developer, and a forward-thinking local authority working together to generate a development of considerable social value.

“As an example, over the course of construction the average monthly spend on local labour has exceeded £1 million per month with 41% of the costs of construction placed with businesses located within a 50-mile radius of Wirral Waters.

"This Build-to Rent development has been funded through a long-term, regeneration lease structure, which operates like a fully amortising loan, providing funding for Wirral Council, which would not have been available from traditional sources.

"Wirral Council will now lease the buildings for 50 years, with annual rent increases linked to inflation, after which ownership of the building will pass to Wirral Council.”

Inside show flat on third floor of first apartment block at Millers Quay that will now be open for viewing by potential buyers in the coming weeks (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest) Peter Reavey, regional director at GRAHAM, said: "Millers Quay exemplifies our commitment to delivering high-quality, sustainable homes that positively impact the local community.

"We are particularly proud of the unique learning and employment opportunities this project has provided to local construction students, fostering the next generation of skilled professionals.

"Additionally, the development has supported local businesses and created jobs, demonstrating the positive social impact we aim to achieve through our projects."

Wirral Council's leader, councillor Paul Stuart, said: "As well as being a colourful and prominent new landmark on Wirral’s skyline, Millers Quay is an important and successful example of the council's commitment to working with partners in providing new homes while demonstrating our commitment to a pro-growth, brownfield-only local plan.

"Including many affordable homes in this development, working with students at Wirral Met College throughout the construction, engaging with the local community, and showing how we attract vital inward investment demonstrate how regeneration can and will deliver for everyone across our borough."