This was the best conversion of an historic building that our Liverpool chartered surveyor, Stuart Scoffin, has had the pleasure to survey. High praise indeed from someone with decades of experience in the industry!
The Tobacco Warehouse
When Stu was asked to carry out an RICS Level 2 survey of a brand new apartment, it was a fantastic surprise to learn that this modern property was in fact a conversion from an historic warehouse built over a century ago. Grade II listed and part of Liverpoolโs UNESCO World Heritage waterfront, the significance of this building is outstanding.
Stanley Dock Tobacco Warehouse was the pride of Liverpool when it was completed in 1901. At the time, it was the largest warehouse in the world, with 14 storeys, 27,000,000 bricks and 30,000 panes of glass. Given that it remains the largest brick warehouse in the world, it is perhaps surprising to learn that it fell into disuse and disrepair in the 1980s, mirroring the decline in trade in Liverpool at the time.
Fortunately, in 2014, Stanley Dock Properties put forward a proposal to breath new life into the building by redeveloping it into apartments and commercial buildings. Renovations took place over the ensuing years, and the first residents moved in four years ago, in 2021.
Property Conversion Surveys
Conversions such as these can make stunning homes, with many of the advantages of modern homes combined with the character of a period property. However, before exchanging on a conversion property, our building surveyors would always recommend that you confirm that Building Control Approval and Completion Certification, Listed Building Consent, and professional consultant certifications are all in place. Structural engineer drawings and calculations should also be obtained and recorded.
Given that this conversion also involved a change of use of the building from commercial to residential, we would also recommend checking Planning Permission documentation and Change of Use classification.
