Liverpool John Moores University – James Parsons Building
Education
Project type
2024
Project completion date
£2m
Projected value
3
Project duration (months)
Krol Corlett were delighted to reinforce our commitment to excellence in the higher education sector at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU).
The James Parsons building – situated on Byrom Street at the heart of Liverpool City Centre – is the single largest building belonging to LJMU, originally constructed in 1960.
Standing 13 stories high and with a gross floor area of over 300,000 sq ft, we delivered a 13-week programme spanning four concurrent workstreams involving the student centre, staff lounge, a pharmacy refit and staff offices and workshops, partnering with ADP Architects on the design of the build.
Comprehensive work included:
-
- Creation of new meeting rooms
- Erection of partition walls
- Finishing of floors, walls, and ceilings
- Upgrades to Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) systems
- Replacement of windows
- Asbestos removal
Craig Smallshaw, Project Manager, said:
“It was a privilege to collaborate with Liverpool John Moores University for this scheme. The expertise Krol Corlett possesses in handling complex projects in live learning environments ensure we are well-equipped to navigate challenges effectively. Our team were dedicated to maintaining a high standard of safety and ensuring minimal disruption to the day-to-day operations of LJMU.”
Krol Corlett were presented with several environmental challenges during the build, which were expertly navigated.
Due to the location of the James Parsons Building, on the Byrom Street Campus in the middle of Liverpool City Centre, the distribution of materials was logistically challenging, requiring careful – and constant – co-ordination to maintain efficient delivery and storage. We also planned and communicated effectively with supply partners during the process to ensure smooth and successful progress.
With construction taking place at a live learning environment, our team undertook meticulous preparation to minimise disruption to both students and staff on-site, as well as the surrounding areas. The logistics of the scheme were constantly evaluated to align with the needs of Liverpool John Moores and its learners.
Phil Evans, Contract Manager, said:
“This project presented several challenges, including the building’s live status, tight programme duration, and the complexity of multiple working areas. Despite these hurdles, we successfully delivered the project to an exceptionally high standard, meeting our client’s expectations both in terms of quality and commercial outcomes.”
Throughout the build, Krol Corlett employed Chedu Dixon in an apprentice role, demonstrating the social values of the company not only at the LJMU site, but across the wider business. After completion at the James Parsons Building, Chedu was assigned to several new projects, highlighting our dedication to supporting career development within the company.
We are proud to have restored the James Parsons Building to a first-class standard to ensure future generations of learners have the best facilities to further their education.
The build also continued our commitment to working with Higher Education facilities. The project at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) completed after other highly successful developments at University of Liverpool, Liverpool Hope University, City of Liverpool College, the University of Salford and the University of Manchester.
Dean Palmer – Project Manager at LJMU, said:
“Liverpool John Moores University has expressed their satisfaction with the delivery of this project, highlighting that Krol Corlett successfully transformed a previously outdated area into a modern, inviting space for both students and staff. This will serve as a benchmark for future projects.”
Newsletter sign up
Sign up to our newsletter to get exclusive Krol Corlett updates