Caption: Moda, BCEGI and Peel Land and Property with Councillor James Noakes ‘breaking ground’ on The Lexington, Liverpool Waters

L-R: Ian Pollitt (Assistant Project Director, Peel L&P), Dan Brooks (Director, Moda), Darran Lawless (Development Director, Peel L&P), Tony Brooks (MD, Moda), John Dunkerley (CEO, Apache), Mr. Xiyuan Zheng (Chinese Consul General), James Blakey (UK Planning Director, Moda), Mr Tao Ni (Vice President, BCEGI), Mr Dongwen Yu (Lead Director, BCEGI), Richard Jackson (MD, Apache)

Today, Moda – developer and operator of homes for rent alongside partner Apache Capital (the London and middle Eastern Investment Management Firm) – were joined by BCEGI, Peel Land and Property, Councillor James Noakes and the Chinese Consul General, Mr. Xiyuan Zheng to break ground on The Lexington.

Before physically breaking ground on the site of the building, all guests were invited to take part in a live virtual groundbreaking experience – scaling The Lexington step-by-step, flying through amenities and taking in rooftop views of Liverpool Waters and the city skyline, all from the comfort of their seats.

Designed by Falconer Chester Hall architects, the 34-storey structure overlooks Liverpool waterfront, recognised by UNESCO as a world heritage site. The Lexington – named after its New York-inspired design – is part of Peel Land and Property’s £5 billion Liverpool Waters regeneration project which will see the creation of five brand new neighbourhoods.

The scheme is just a stone’s throw away from the Three Graces – the Royal Liver Building, Cunard Building and Port of Liverpool Building – that give the city its iconic waterfront.

Once completed, The Lexington will offer 325 high quality homes designed exclusively for rent, with apartments ranging from studios to three-beds. All the apartments will be managed onsite – offering members premium, personal service which includes a 24-hour concierge.

Residents will also have access to over 15,000 sq. ft. of amenity space, including a 17th floor sky lounge, with outdoor dining kitchen and co-working space. The building will also include a dedicated gym and workout space operated by hero, a digital wellness platform set up by the former UK managing director of WeWork, which focuses on mental, physical and social wellbeing.

In addition to being Moda’s first development in the city, The Lexington will also be BCEGI’s first major residential construction in Liverpool. Located in 27 countries spanning five continents, BCEGI is a Chinese state-owned enterprise. Having entered the UK in 2013, BCEGI is an equity and construction partner on Manchester’s £1 billion Airport City and the preferred contractor on Middlewood Locks, the £1 billion mixed-use development in Salford, which will provide 2,215 homes alongside 900,000 sq. ft. of commercial space and a new hotel.

Tony Brooks, managing director at Moda, said:

With Angel Gardens in Manchester on track to complete next year, we’re delighted to have appointed BCEGI to deliver The Lexington, with works already underway on site. Our ambition is to create a true landmark that will add to the already world-famous Liverpool waterfront. BCEGI has a proven track record of successfully delivering some of the North West’s biggest schemes, and we’re delighted to have them on board.

Andy Parker, director of projects at Moda, said:

We are delighted to get this off the ground, it is the first of a number of major schemes around the UK that will be moving into the construction phase over the next few months.

Richard Jackson, co-founder and managing director at Apache Capital Partners, said:

The appointment of BCEGI as main contractor brings us one step closer to realising our ambition to creating the UK’s leading premium build to rent portfolio. The Lexington, with its focus on tech and service amenity, will push the envelope for renting in Liverpool.

Zheng Xiyuan, the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Manchester, said:

BCEGI has a well-earned reputation as global construction company with a long track record of the successful delivery of projects like The Lexington.  Their team are already delivering fantastic projects in the North West with exceptional results for their clients. I look forward to seeing a closer China-UK relationship bringing prosperity to the people of the region.

Yu Dongwen, lead director at BCEGI, said:

We are extremely proud to be appointed by MODA to deliver The Lexington. It is a flagship development that will significantly contribute to the huge transformation of  Liverpool Waters. We are looking forward to building our first project in Liverpool.