Brick types: Light Grey Facing, Staffordshire Smooth Blue
Factory: Clerkenwell
Project location: Liverpool
Project type: Commerical
Architect: Keith Davidson Partners

A landmark £31 million development has transformed Liverpool’s former TJ Hughes department store site into a striking residential and commercial hub. Central to the architectural vision for the ten-storey Hughes House is the distinctive use of Ibstock’s high-performance brickwork, bringing both aesthetic value and practical resilience to the ambitious city centre project.

Two Ibstock bricks have been carefully selected to define the building’s modern façade. The Leicester Grey Stock – a lightly textured, frogged brick – provides a contemporary grey finish, while the Staffordshire Smooth Blue offers a striking contrast with its deep tones and sleek profile. These bricks not only complement the urban character of the scheme but also ensure durability and frost resistance suitable for Liverpool’s climate.

Hughes House, designed by the Keith Davidson Partnership, has delivered 258 energy-efficient apartments alongside ground-floor retail and commercial spaces. The development includes a mix of 144 one-bedroom, 99 two-bedroom, and 15 studio apartments, all of which acheived a minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of B. The scheme features low-carbon electrical solutions and energy-saving technologies throughout, aligning with modern sustainability standards and cutting long-term costs for future residents.