Watch Factory Phase II
about the project
Year: 2020
Client: Livv Housing Group
Contractor: Vistry
Location: Prescot
Program: RIBA Stage 3-7
Phase II of the Watch Factory Development in Prescot, Knowsley features 103 apartment units in three newly constructed blocks for residents aged 55 and over, along with 88 traditional family homes, totalling 191 units.
Constructed for Livv Housing Group these were designed around the award-winning Phase I Extra Care development, housed in the former Watch Factory in Prescot.
Watch Factory is an excellent example of how Registered Providers can drive regeneration through design. Using the principles of Building for a Healthy Life, the scheme integrates a high level of quality both internally and externally which is founded on a Design for All approach. This centralises multi-generational housing by ensuring that both the built form and importantly the spaces between create a sense of community for the new and existing residents.
The project thoughtfully addresses the community’s diverse housing needs while preserving the area’s heritage and character.
The apartment blocks range from three to four stories and are constructed using a steel frame with SFS infill with a red brick outer leaf matching tying the scheme into the surrounding area.
Key architectural features include buff stone surrounds for windows and doors, dark grey cladding as well as cantilevered balconies and gable terraces, blending aesthetic appeal with functionality. The houses are built using traditional masonry construction, with notable features like stack bond brickwork and bay windows on the front and gable elevations.
By incorporating apartment blocks for residents over 55 alongside family homes, the development fosters intergenerational living and encourages a sense of community that transcends age.
This mixed housing approach creates a vibrant, inclusive neighbourhood where residents of all ages can live, interact, and support one another.
