Factory that helped make Kellogg’s Rice Krispies to be transformed into luxury flats with underground spa as £140m project starts

Work has officially started to transform a Liverpool city centre landmark into luxury apartments, complete with an underground spa, in a £140m project.

Legacie Developments is leading the Heap's Rice Mill scheme which will also include commercial space.

A total of 620 one and two-bedroom flats will be created on the site while a 16-storey apartment block will also be constructed.

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Previously used by Joseph Heap & Sons Ltd, which once ground rice for Kellogg’s Rice Krispies, the Pownall Street site is one of the last surviving warehouse complexes in the area.

The grade II-listed building on the edge of the Baltic Triangle has been empty since 2005, and has had planning permission since 2014.

The site obtained Grade II-listed status in 2014 (Andrew Teebay/Liverpool Echo)

The development is expected to complete by summer 2025 and will create more than 150 jobs during the construction phase.

Legacie Developments founder and chief executive John Morley said: "This is going to be another game-changing development from Legacie.

"The site is held in high regard by the people of Liverpool and we have started work on a sensitive redevelopment that pays tribute to the history of the building but also delivers a modern living complex complete with first-class facilities.

"We are incredibly excited to have started work on this iconic project. It is a significant addition to our portfolio."

The Heaps Rice Mill site in Liverpool (Andrew Teebay/Liverpool Echo)

Managing director of RWInvest Michael Gledhill added: "Heap's Mill will be an iconic development, bringing back to life a historic building which has sadly been left derelict.

"Legacie's sensitive restoration of the mill, together with a state-of-the-art spa and luxury apartments, will help breathe new life into this part of the city centre.

"It is going to be a fantastic scheme for Liverpool and we are excited to see it through to completion."

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