Matchbox, the latest phase of the expansion of Matchworks, the flagship Urban Splash office development on Speke Road, Garston was “topped out” on Thursday 19 April at a special ceremony held on its roof.
Urban Splash chairman, Tom Bloxham MBE was joined by Councillor Peter Millea, Ian Hassall, development director, Liverpool Land Development Company and Jack Stopforth, chief executive officer, Liverpool Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the building reaching its full height.
Matchbox will be ready to occupy later this year and its completion will see up to 2000 people employed at the former Bryant and May site.
The “topping out” ceremony can be tracked back to Ancient Egypt (2700 BC) when slaves placed a live plant on top of pyramids for those who died during construction. Others included priests blessing buildings to ward off evil spirits and Scandinavians hoisting evergreen trees to the top of buildings as a signal to start the completion party!
“Today’s topping out marks a significant stage in the growth of the Matchworks estate,” said Tom Bloxham MBE, chairman, Urban Splash. “Matchbox is a fantastic asset to the site and we look forward to welcoming the new tenants when it completes later this year.”
Jack Stopforth said: “I have known the Matchworks site for years, I campaigned to try and prevent Bryant and May leaving, so its great to see the huge changes that have taken place since Urban Splash has taken on the site. The investment and the new job creation is really changing the whole Speke Garston area for the better.”
The contemporary Matchbox is the first new build by Urban Splash in Liverpool and will provide 19,000 sq ft of Grade A office accommodation with comfort cooling and fitted to high specification. Urban Splash believes the landmark building will be an excellent location for a prestigious headquarters.
“I was very proud when I was on the roof of Matchbox, you get a fantastic opportunity to see what is going on in Garston and how the area has dramatically changed in just a few years,”, said Cllr Peter Millea. “The success at Matchworks shows how former industrial sites can be turned around from derelict and defunct shells into thriving new business communities, and importantly create new job opportunities for local people.”
Pictured above is Ian Hassall (left), Tom Bloxham (centre) and Jack Stopforth (right)
