Plans for a mural encompassing Liverpool’s shared community spirit were proposed for a former government building.
Documents made public by Liverpool Council’s planning department have detailed designs for artwork that could adorn the side of the former His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) building on James Street. Regian House, now apartments, has been identified as a potential home for the work by graphic artist Anthony Burrill.
According to a letter of application by property management company Livingway Group, the art “looks to anchor the Regian House gable elevation with a thought provoking message, in the spirit of Liverpool and its people.”
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The more than 80,000 sqft building was converted into apartments after planning permission was granted in March last year. HMRC left Regian House before its 2026 lease expired, consolidating its services into one location at India Buildings at nearby Water Street.
Describing the proposed work, the letter said: “Words that speak of community, belonging, friendship, being human. The most important aspect of life is how we connect with each other and how those connections enrich our lives.
“The public artwork will act as an everyday reminder of this sense of shared community and create an anchoring presence within the fabric of the city.”
The planning application said graphic artist Anthony Burrill frequently collaborates with other disciplines spanning music, architecture, curation, education protest and more; “pushing his traditional discipline of choice, letterpress printing, into bold new territories.” It added: “Whether working on an art school pavilion, an acid house record, a book or a poster design, Burrill’s work is instantly recognisable.”
Mr Burrill, who was born in Lancashire and now lives in Kent, has worked held in the permanent collections of the V&A and The Design Museum in London, The CooperHewitt in New York and has been exhibited in galleries around the world including The Barbican Gallery in London, The Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, The Triennale in Milan and The Stedelijk Museum in Breda. He has spoken at international design conferences in London, Dublin, Berlin, Barcelona, Mumbai, Seoul, Bangkok and led workshops in São Paulo, Nairobi and Venice.
A piece by Mr Burrill, similar to the work proposed for Regian House, was also committed to a building in Leeds. A date for the application to be heard by Liverpool Council’s planning officials has yet to be confirmed.
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