Hapag Lloyd: Liverpool

Location: Port of Liverpool Building, Liverpool

Sector: Transport/ Logistics

Project Size: 7,700 sq ft

Project Value: £450k

Programme: 8 weeks

Scope of Works: Design > Contracting > Furniture

The Brief

Hapag Lloyd’s Liverpool operation was operating out of two separate buildings—the second floor of the India Building and the ground floor of the Royal Liver Building. The time was right for Hapag Lloyd to consolidate and centralise operations and move to a single site. Whilst Hapag Lloyd were aware that Liverpool had many new commercial properties to offer, overwhelming historical and cultural factors drew them to the Port of Liverpool Building - the oldest, and arguably the grandest, of Liverpool’s three large Pier Head properties. The decision was taken for Hapag Lloyd to take the first floor of the neo-classical, Grade II listed building and Claremont was appointed to design and deliver a new office space for the shipping company which would help improve staff communication and bring a new-found sense of unity to the team.

The Solution

As well as considering the company’s general requirements, staff numbers, adjacencies and internal facilities, Claremont was careful to consider that the building’s historical features needed to be incorporated into the proposed design. As the current space was in the process of being refurbished by the landlord, Claremont adapted and developed the existing footprint in keeping with the landlord’s refurbishment plans and in sympathy with the existing architecture, working with the ceiling heights and large window sections to create a light and spacious feel.

The smart, professional environment encompasses the reception area, meeting rooms, open plan area for 60 staff, partitions and decoration, furniture, power, data & IT , new AC system, breakout facility and Comms room.

The Result

Since completion, the project has had a particular impact on internal communications—with the new office designed around a central open plan area with easy access to shared meeting rooms and informal breakout facilities, helping to engender discussion and internal collaboration.

Mike Gardner, Claremont’s Managing Director comments on the final space:

“We believe we have created a contemporary, functional workspace befitting a company as prestigious as Hapag Lloyd. At the same time, the design works well with the building’s architectural features. The work done internally now compliments the exterior of one of Liverpool’s most historic buildings.”