The project brief for Liberty Wharf was to convert a collection of Site of Special Interest (SSI) buildings on Jersey’s waterfront into a new retail destination.

The approach taken in the treatment of the existing buildings on the site was to:
• Restore the existing buildings wherever possible and practicable
• Re-use as far as possible existing building elements where removal was been considered necessary
• Remove buildings or parts of buildings of limited architectural or historical significance in order to preserve historic buildings damaged by previous, poorly considered additions.

With regard to the new buildings and extensions the approach was to create a dialogue of contrast with the restored elements by introducing modern interventions and thus add a new layer to the site’s historical development. This was achieved through the introduction of high quality contrasting modern materials for the new build elements, such as zinc roofs, and glass facades.

The approach adopted has meant that the restored buildings maintain and preserve a link with the site’s history whilst allowing the previously dilapidated buildings a new lease of life by converting them to a vibrant new use as part of the wider regeneration of the site and the waterfront as a whole.

Liberty Wharf was awarded winner of the Jersey Design Awards 2011 in the categories of ‘Best Refurbishment of a Historic Building’ and ‘Best Large Scale Refurbishment or Remodelling’.