There are over 2,500 listed buildings in Liverpool of which 27 are Grade I listed (indicating outstanding architectural or historic interest) and 85 are Grade II listed (particularly significant buildings of more local interest).
Some of the Grade I and II listed buildings can be spotted around the city centre including Albert Dock, Victoria Gallery and Museum, Bluecoat Chambers, Royal Liver Building, John Foster Building LJMU and St George’s Hall to name a few.
Marie Bones, an historian, thinks listed buildings are very important to keep around: “Not only are listed buildings culturally significant, they also provide so much more for local people and visitors to the city. They teach people about the past, there is something very special about being able to walk inside a building from hundreds of years ago and knowing life is still thriving inside of it, as it did before.”
Despite their historic charm and beauty, they can have their fair share of structural problems, and with so many being used as public spaces, the upkeep of them is essential to ensure everybody is safe.
The designations of grades protect these buildings from demolition, extensive alterations, or extensions without special permission from relevant planning authorities, which not only makes upkeep expensive but also a very intricate process.
In England, owners of listed buildings have no specific duty to maintain their historic buildings or keep them in good repair. Local authorities, however, do have the power to take action when a listed building within their vicinity has deteriorated to the extent that its preservation is at risk or if it becomes hazardous to the public.
The cost of maintaining listed buildings can vary significantly based on factors such as the building’s size, condition, and location.
When renovating a listed building, you can expect to pay 30% to 50% more compared to non-listed properties, this is due to factors such as the need for specialist labour, authentic materials and the extra detailed planning needed to start a maintenance project.
On average, renovating a listed building costs approximately £1500 to £2500 per square meter.
Colin Hall, a builder, who has worked on upkeeping various listed buildings said: “Yes, the upkeep can be more expensive than that of your everyday building, but to me, and probably most people in the area, these buildings are worth the extra money. They’re part of our history.”
