MANCHESTER developer Merepark has bought the Lewis's department store building, a Merseyside landmark, in partnership with a subsidiary of Liberty International.

It is expected that a planning application for the redevelopment of the nine-storey, 420,000 sq ft building will be submitted in December.

Merepark says that Lewis's will continue to trade as usual and, it is hoped, will form an integral part of the new plans.

In a separate move, Merepark has cemented its long-standing relationship with Irish developers Ballymore. In a joint venture, it has acquired the Watson Building, Renshaw Street, Liverpool. The purchase price of the 80,000 sq ft, eight-storey building has not been disclosed.

Merepark and Ballymore are poised to begin work on the £110m first phase of the £160m Central Village, one of Liverpool's biggest regeneration schemes. It will include a 25-storey tower and a 20-storey building.

The project will include over 300 apartments and will be anchored by a four-star-plus hotel, and a ground and first-floor leisure and retail offering will run alongside a new, spectacular water feature.

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