Downing gets going on plans for Capital building

May 9 2008

DEVELOPER Downing says its new reception at the Capital building, in Old Hall Street, is just the start of its plans for the building and its atrium.

The company last night unveiled the new reception area at the Capital, the former Royal & Sun Alliance HQ known locally as the Sandcastle. It is the latest phase of Downing’s ongoing £10m refurbishment of the site of the building.

Downing also owns the Old Hall Street glass-walled atrium shared by the Capital, the Liverpool Daily Post and Echo and the neighbouring City Tower.

Robin Ellis, senior agency surveyor at Downing, says the company is planning to revamp the atrium’s existing cafe and create a new shop.

He said: “We’re investing ourselves heavily in the design and the furniture of that cafe area, to make sure it’s of the highest quality and some- where people will really enjoy coming for a business meeting or to have lunch with friends.

“We’re also talking to a major national retailer about opening up a new retail unit within the atrium itself. We’re also looking at the meeting and conference centre which can be accessed off the atrium through the Capital reception.

“That really is just for starters.”