One Lime Street
Henry J Lyons’ design for Lime Street maximises the potential of a narrow, city-centre plot to create 216 homes.
The design draws inspiration from the north-south rhythm of the local streets and lanes, with two linear blocks defining a landscaped, south-facing central courtyard. A public pedestrian link bisects the courtyard, connecting Lime Street with Whitaker Lane and subsequently Whitaker Square. A retail/café unit and amenities including a concierge, lounge and a multi-function space are located for maximum interaction with the street. In this way, the development knits itself into the city, rather than turning its back to it. A roof garden over the single-storey reception combines with the courtyard landscaping to create a pocket of greenery, a respite from the development’s intensely urban surroundings.
A light, bright and green linear courtyard is created, with planted areas maximised for a sense of lush vegetation.
Residents experience dappled sunlight filtered through a light tree canopy; the planting and surrounding residences buffering the city noise. Distinct areas of courtyard are articulated through changes in surface treatment, planting, or seating provision.
The site strategy picks up on the linear nature of the site and surrounding street network. A residential block is placed on either side of the site, so all apartments enjoy either an easterly or westerly aspect and the potential for single aspect north-facing apartments is eliminated. The two north-south 'bars' of accommodation are linked by a single-storey communal amenity space to the south of the site, through which the shared courtyard is accessed. This amenity space expands into the south-west of the ground floor and much of the lower ground floor along Lime Street. This is the social hub of the scheme and it animates the junction of Lime Street and Hanover Street East. The retail/café unit enjoys a prominent location at the junction of Hanover Street East and Whitaker Lane.
