How a Liverpool property company is helping develop the Baltic Triangle without losing its unique cool

A Liverpool property company is working with independent businesses to help develop the Baltic Triangle without sacrificing its unique cool.

The Baltic often appears in lists of the best places to live and work in the UK meaning it’s become increasingly sought-after.

But RWinvest, which has recently sold two completed developments with a third under construction around Cains Brewery Village, says progress can still happen alongside preserving character.

Michael Gledhill, RWinvest director, explains: “The ethos with all our projects is the same: it’s about creating homes for people with amazing amenities and also adding value for people who don’t necessarily live there but spend time there either working or just visiting. 

“We want these developments to benefit the whole community, and a big part of that is giving local independents an opportunity to locate in the Baltic because that’s what gives it the flavour and the life.”

The company has relocated its own headquarters to one of the finished developments, One Baltic Square, which Michael says is a sign of its confidence and commitment.

“We’re local ourselves, we’re from the city so we understand the city,” he says. 

“My mum and dad both had businesses in the Baltic in the 1980s so I’ve seen how it’s already changed, from when it was warehousing to becoming the centre for creatives it is now. 

“I know the area inside out so the last thing we want to do is try and bring identikit chains in if we can avoid it.

“There’s so much potential in the Baltic Triangle, that’s why we moved here ourselves. There’s massive investment in the new train station and we need that infrastructure because without that the area can’t grow and it’s really important for the entire city that it does.”

RWinvest has already signed up a variety of commercial tenants for Parliament Square, with more still to move in.

“We’re bringing in local independents because they then bring something to the area beyond the residential and we always look for what is the best fit,” adds Michael. 

“With Parliament Square we have businesses like Viet Social and Parliament Square Coffee who are both local independents. We’ve done same with One Baltic Square and we’re confident we’ve found one that will do really well and fit nicely there.”

Michael says in addition to the businesses, they’ve also taken care to respect the heritage of the area.

“Where One Baltic Square is on Grafton Street was pretty rundown before and there was a lot of anti-social behaviour going on there. 

“We spent £1.25million on a public square as the centrepiece of that development, which is landscaped with lots of places to relax, benches and planting.

“That plaza is one of the few new green spaces that’s been created in the city that’s open to everyone, not just people who live there.

“We’ve also included pieces of artwork that reflect the history of the area so there are glass sculptures that get illuminated at night which reference its history as a bottling site for Cains brewery.”

With the adjacent site on Brassey Street currently under development, Michael says there are exciting times ahead for the Baltic Triangle.

“It’s important that we bring the new in but retain what’s special about the Baltic. That’s why it’s good that it’s local companies doing these developments because it’s not just about the bottom line, we’re here every day so we live and breathe it.

“We want to meet the demand to live here but without it having a negative impact. All the venues need residents to be able to sustain and grow, and the people working in the digital sector and creative industries need places to live so the two can complement each other.

“Obviously the Baltic is going to evolve over time, like it already has from its days serving the docks, and I think in Liverpool we’re lucky to have this area so close to the waterfront and city centre. 

“We should absolutely preserve and support all the independents and the best way to do that is by bringing residents to the area and giving more businesses that offer something a bit different the chance to come in and operate here.”

For more info on RWinvest click here.

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