Located in the heart of Liverpool’s business district, Reliance House is set to be converted into 100 luxurious residential apartments. The project presents a fantastic opportunity for buy-to-let investors, with expected rental yields of 7-8% and long-term capital growth.

The £15 million project will be completed by Legacie Developments, providing a further boost to Liverpool’s thriving rental sector, especially in prime city centre locations.

Prime Location

Located on Water Street, Reliance House is situated just a short walk from the Waterfront with fantastic links into the city centre. Various amenities can be found on nearby Castle Street, along with upmarket bars, restaurants and cafés.

Image credit: Wikipedia

Reliance House is also opposite the alternative James Street railway station entrance. Although access is limited at off-peak times and closed at weekends, this is of great convenience for commuters who use the Merseyrail network.

The city centre is a proven hotbed of buy-to-let investment, with guaranteed enquiries for rented properties and a steady stream of graduates looking for jobs/accommodation. This also leads to healthy rental yields, with projected returns of up to 8% based on current market projections.

Liverpool in itself has seen plenty of investment since the turn of the century, with no signs of slowing down. An estimated £10 billion regeneration is planned over the forthcoming decade, helping modernise a city already draped with a strong cultural heritage.

Design

The Reliance House building is far bigger in size than you may expect if stood at the main Water Street entrance. The front section is made up of robust Portland stone, showcasing a strong Edwardian design that has stood up well to the test of time.

At the rear end, an impressive red brick façade adds a touch of character to the building, backing onto the picturesque Church of Our Lady and Saint Nicholas.

Image credit: Wikipedia
Reliance House has great access to transport links.

The development will create 73 one bedroom apartments and 27 two bedroom apartments, designed to modern standards with lavish high ceilings and large sash windows.

The one bedroom apartments will comprise a large living area, with generous space for lounge, cooking and dining, as well as a study zone in the bedroom. An additional store room is also provided.

The two bedroom apartments will include two separate bathrooms, one of them en-suite. They’ll also include double-bed sized rooms and a large kitchenette area, perfect for young professionals looking to split the cost of rent.

Further Advice

Reliance House offers secure and exceptionally high-quality real estate, located in a prime spot in Liverpool city centre. A spokesman from the Legacie has said of the development:

“We saw its potential straight away, in terms of the way it looks – it has a beautiful Portland stone frontage and it’s nicely proportioned with high ceilings which give a real sense of space – and its location which couldn’t be better.

It’s right in the centre of the business district, facing India Buildings, there are great views overlooking St Nicholas’ Church gardens and the waterfront, and all the restaurants and bars on Castle Street are just a few minutes’ walk away.

From a developer’s and a buyer’s point of view, it really is a prime spot and a prime building.”

The one bedroom apartments will typically be 499 sq. feet/46.6 sq. metres and start at £120,000 in price. Their two bedroom counterparts are 609 sq. feet/56.6 sq. metres and will range from £160,000 upwards.

The 100 available properties will be sold off-plan to both buy-to-let investors or private buyers. A £5,000 reservation fee will be required to secure your interest.

If you’d like to know more about the Reliance House redevelopment, get in touch with us.
Or for more about investment opportunities in Liverpool click here.

After 16 years of neglect, redevelopment of the Eldon Grove tenements in Liverpool’s Vauxhall has finally begun.

A major boost to the surrounding area, new blocks of luxury flats will be constructed on the site alongside refurbishment of the historic building itself.

Work starting on the site has been a long time coming with the initial planning application submitted in late 2015. Liverpool City Council only approved the proposal in December 2016, allowing designers JGLT Developments to make a start on their regeneration plans.

History of Eldon Grove

Eldon Grove was a council development opened in 1912 by the Countess of Derby, Alice Stanley. The buildings consisted of three blocks, originally used as labourers’ dwellings to home local workers.

Historians note Eldon Grove would have been the most modernised accommodation of its time, particularly as they incorporated baths with hot water taps. With balcony access, they are also deemed to be one of the oldest examples of council flats outside London.

As time moved on, the building was converted into student housing but eventually fell out of use. With previous regeneration projects falling through, Eldon Grove was abandoned and became completely derelict.

Being the last remaining original-style, timber frame tenement in Liverpool, the historic site was given Grade II listed status in 1993. This has lead Victorian Society supporters to campaign against construction work, particularly as the new surrounding flats will obstruct its view.

Need for Repair

The Eldonian Company, who are responsible for Eldonian Village and Vauxhall regeneration schemes, have been working with JGLT on the project. Their representative, Paul Foster, was left in no doubt over the building’s need for urgent attention. He told councillors:

“You’ll have seen this morning that Eldon Grove is in a terrible state, dilapidated and on the point of becoming unrepairable… These buildings will not survive another winter.”

“Eldon Grove has been derelict for 20 years now and has become an eyesore to the community. If it doesn’t get redeveloped shortly this Grade II listed building will be beyond repair.”

“We really do think this is the last chance for this building.”

Image credit: SPDP via Flickr

This appeal was successful and after Liverpool council’s approval late last year, both developers and locals alike are eager to see the completed project.

Development Plans

As well as restoring the Eldon Grove building to its past glory, the multi-million pound project will see new flats erected on the premises. This will include five blocks of one and two bedroom apartments, as well as New York style duplex penthouses.

In total, this will create 84 new luxury rooms, with further plans to revamp the surrounding space with landscape gardens.

A representative of the Eldonian Company commented on the developments:

“It will look stunning and will kick start the regeneration of L3 again, increasing house prices and making the area a nicer place to live – being very close to the city centre it’s a perfect location for city living but with a relaxing lifestyle.”

JGLT have already received numerous enquiries from property investors. They expect the project to take around 12-18 months to complete before new residents can move in.

If you’d like to know more about the Eldon Grove redevelopment, get in touch with us.
Or you can find out more about the original building and site as we look at Eldon Grove – a Liverpool Treasure Comes Back to Life.

For many people, Liverpool’s Toxteth area is synonymous with the 1981 riots where a civil disturbance broke out between police and local youths. However, despite the negative image this portrayed, its repercussions only highlighted the greater need for social stability and increased investment across Liverpool’s inner-city areas.

What’s occurred since has been a vast improvement of Toxteth’s local economy and employment prospects, echoing that of Liverpool as a whole. Twelve months on from the Granby Four Streets regeneration, work is still ongoing to improve the lives of those who live there.

Today, Toxteth is a hotbed of investment, buoyed by relatively inexpensive housing and attractive rental yields. Its close proximity to the city centre, Baltic Triangle, and Liverpool’s universities has appealed to property developers from all over the country, meaning that regenerated Toxteth is now a great place to invest.

Image credit: Beverley Goodwin via Flickr

Cultural Ties

One prominent investment has materialised with the old Coleman’s Fireproof Depository on Park Road. The historic red-brick building is to be converted into luxury apartments and set for completion in Q2 2017.

Developers have been keen to modernise whilst retaining the building’s original Victorian features – a constant theme of various regeneration schemes across the city. This desire to preserve original architecture is largely because of Toxteth’s interesting social history and cultural roots.

Image credit:ALANM via Flickr

For example, the creative development of Toxteth’s notable ‘Welsh Streets’ – where work to convert 35 properties into 25 energy efficient homes is underway – saw the 2015 Turner Prize awarded to a collective art group who redesigned homes in the Granby Four Streets neighbourhood. Many of those homes are now let or available to buy at under market value.

Buy-to-Let Opportunities

Toxteth comprises numerous terraced homes within a relatively small area. This provides many buying opportunities for investors, buoyed by a huge demand for accommodation when second year students leave their university halls.

Often moving out in large groups together, landlords capitalise on this by converting rooms to maximise rental income. With over 50,000 students in Liverpool, you’re guaranteed to have enquiries as soon as the property is placed on the market.

Many of Liverpool’s inner-city areas, such as Toxteth, lie within an exclusive band where house prices remain below the national average but are steadily increasing in value. With a strong rental market to boot, this produces attractive yields of around 7-10%.

Image credit:broady via Flickr

Living in Toxteth

Toxteth lies just south of central Liverpool and has great transport links into the city centre, notably with numerous bus routes servicing the area. Likewise, Brunswick railway station is close by which operates on the Northern Line of the Merseyrail network.

As well as the ongoing work around the Welsh Streets and Granby Row areas, other developments include a new block of flats and restaurant planned on the historic Princes Road, the conversion of the former Liverpool Savings Bank on Park Road, and the previously noted Coleman’s Depository renovation.

This shows that investors are confident to plough their money into Toxteth, helping boost the local economy and provide further employment. Of course, this enhanced social stability means that the 1980’s volatility is a thing of the past as  the area continues to see even more investment in the coming years, especially in the thriving buy-to-let sector.

If you’re ready to start your Toxteth investment journey, contact us today.
If you’d like more information, you might be interested in A Look into the History of Coleman’s Fireproof Depository and Investing in Toxteth is a Step in History and New Luxury.

As a property investor, it’s in your best interests to locate real estate within a region with a strong local economy and high growth potential. That’s why Liverpool should be high on your list when considering an investment – a city blessed with a rich cultural heritage, but with much to look forward to as well.

Regeneration Schemes

Liverpool has been subject to all sorts of development schemes since the turn of the century, a clear indication of investment confidence in the region.

The MIPIM UK, a distinguished real estate event attracting a host of business and property experts, will be attended by Liverpool City Region representatives to sell the North-West region. Promoting the event is Ellen Cutler, head of Invest Liverpool, who points out that:

“Liverpool has really come into its own in the last ten years, with developments like Liverpool One, the Arena and Convention Centre breathing new life and confidence into the city.

“This is a dynamic, accessible region with a brilliant world-class brand backed up by solid, significant investment that is driving forward growth across the region.”

There’s also the recent £40 million restoration of Lime Street, producing an impressive “facelift” for one of Liverpool’s main road links, and the government-backed £130 million Stanley Docks regeneration scheme.

Stanley Docks in Liverpool
Image credit: SPDP via Flickr

Furthermore, plans for the new £2 billion Knowledge Quarter are also picking up speed. The five year project is set to produce a world-class destination for science, technology and innovation specialists in the vicinity of Liverpool’s prominent educational institutions.

Life in the City

Although much is made about the city’s musical legacy and sporting achievements in years gone by, that doesn’t mean Liverpool is stuck in the past. There’s an eclectic range of activities for people of all interests to enjoy, aided by a vibrant nightlife and a social population.

Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral
Image credit: Matthew Black via Flickr

The city has benefited from a thriving economy in many ways. For example, Liverpool has more people in employment than ever before and a healthy number of vacancies to boot. This is good news for the buy-to-let sector as workers are more likely to rent properties with a guaranteed income behind them.

Investment Opportunities

A stable local economy will see property increase in value and attract more people to the area, a trend likely to entice shrewd investors in the current climate.

This is all fuelled by a thriving buy-to-let sector and healthy student population, guaranteeing tenants year in, year out. As another bonus, Liverpool produces some of the highest rental yields in the country, helped by the fact house prices are lower here than the national average.

Hollywood Comparisons

The Liverpool Film Office, currently celebrating its 25th birthday, is enjoying a purple patch having recently hosted the box office film Florence Foster Jenkins, starring Hugh Grant and Meryl Streep.

Foyle’s War being filmed in Liverpool
Image credit: Beverley Goodwin via Flickr

Liverpool has become a draw for film companies due to its location-friendly scenery and cooperation from local businesses. As more film companies seek out Liverpool for their productions, this can only be good news for the city.

With increased investment and employment rates in the city, combined with relatively low house prices and a thriving buy-to-let sector, there are plenty of reasons to be choosing Liverpool – the Hollywood of the North – as your next investment venture.

Considering investing in Liverpool? Check out our latest investment opportunities.
If you’d like to know more about investing in Liverpool property, you might be interested in our top six Liverpool postcodes to invest in.

Liverpool is one of the hottest cities in the UK to invest in. Since the turn of the century, it’s been the target for many investors looking to take advantage of a booming market and healthy rental yields.

This is in no small part due to the large student population Liverpool attracts year on year, a number estimated to be up to 60,000 across its five main universities and colleges. The city boasts a thriving nightlife, rich musical heritage and renowned sports teams that boost the local economy and keep visitors coming every year.

Liverpool has been subject to many investment schemes in recent years, with improvements made to many residential housing estates and the upmarket Albert Docks area. There’s a self-evident history of trade links with global markets, again attracting major property and business investors into the city.

Image credit: Radarsmum67 via Flickr

If you’re considering purchasing property in Liverpool, here are six postcodes which are worth looking at before making a final decision.

L1

The L1 postcode in Liverpool recently came out on top as the most desirable place to invest in across England and Wales. The survey, conducted by Which? in 2016, focused on the price of property in the area as well as its potential to increase in value. Over the past three years, house prices in the L1 district have risen by 40% yet still remain below the national average of £200,000.

A prime city centre location with relatively cheap housing has turned this area of Liverpool into an investment paradise. Reflecting the North-West as a whole, the L1 postcode generates outstanding rental yields, especially with the two main universities in close proximity. Likewise, transport links are also fantastic with Liverpool Lime Street and Liverpool Central train stations close by.

With investment also comes regeneration, seen here with a £200 million scheme planned for the Tribeca Fields area, as well as the recent transformation of Albert Docks and Liverpool One into major visitor attractions. This in turn will create jobs and new businesses, boost the local economy and thus attract further homebuyers and tenants – promising signs for property investors in the L1 postcode.

Image credit: Sam Wilson via Flickr

L7

One of the most prominent postcodes in Liverpool is L7, comprising of the Edge Hill, Fairfield and Kensington areas, as well as parts of the city centre. Impressive buy-to-let yields of around 9% have made these areas attractive to prospective buyers. With close proximity to the two main universities, a steady stream of wealthy international students look to the L7 postcode each year, guaranteeing a consistent and impressive return on investment.

Image credit: Ruaraidh Gillies via Flickr

L6

Similarly, the L6 area encompasses many students around the Fairfield, Kensington and Tuebrook areas, but also includes Anfield and Everton. Of course, Liverpool and Everton football clubs are located close by, providing a major boost to the local economy and attracting ultra-passionate fans every week. High rental yields are helped by relatively less expensive properties compared to the national average.

Image credit: Airviews Photography via Flickr

L4

The L4 postcode of Liverpool contains Anfield, Kirkdale and Walton, largely residential areas with various property types. House prices are relatively cheap, especially for terraced properties, again leading to attractive buy-to-let yields for investors. Kirkdale in particular has been subject to recent renovation projects, improving the quality of housing in the area and creating more jobs. Walton Road, a busy commercial centre with plenty of businesses, pubs and restaurants, is located nearby.

Image credit: Beverley Goodwin via Flickr

L3

The L3 postcode of Liverpool includes the prominent and renovated Docklands area, commonly known as Albert Docks. After multi-million pound investment, it has become a major tourist attraction with many places of interest, bars and restaurants. Business investors are attracted to the site, looking to take advantage of the 4 million visitors who come every year. Vauxhall is another inner-city district of L3 which itself has been the beneficiary of investment for residential housing, flats and student accommodation.

Image credit: Paul via Flickr

L10

The L10 postcode is made up of two main suburbs, Aintree and Fazakerley. They are more affluent areas of Liverpool, with more semi and detached properties to invest in. Although the potential buy-to-let yields aren’t as high as some other areas in the city, investors are still attracted here due to the fantastic transport links and local amenities. Aintree Racecourse is also located nearby, home to the famous Grand National every April.

If you’re looking for reasons to invest in this great city, check out our reasons for investing in Liverpool.

If you’re ready to get started, then take a look at our Liverpool investment opportunities.