A Postcard for the Wirral

Millers Quay forms a central part of Wirral Waters—one of the UK’s largest and most ambitious regeneration projects—and acts as a key marker in the delivery of its Northbank neighbourhood vision. Once a forgotten edge of Birkenhead, this site is now re-emerging as a vibrant, contemporary waterside community, bringing life back to the docks.

Our first involvement with the project was the design and delivery of Wirral Met College, providing young people in Birkenhead with hands-on technical training and early-stage careers in the built environment. In delivering the masterplan, these young people are also helping to shape its future.

Surrounded by parks, dockside walkways and cycle routes, Millers Quay places homes at the water’s edge—bringing urban life closer to nature and supporting Wirral Water’s long-term ambitions for a connected and sustainable neighbourhood. In total, the scheme delivers 500 one- and two-bedroom apartments across six mid-rise buildings, including 100 affordable homes.

The architectural language is rooted in the area’s working heritage. The distinctive industrial character of Birkenhead Docks—its steel ships, brightly coloured metalwork, bold graphics and robust wharf buildings—informs the contemporary aesthetic. Strong, pitched rooflines reference neighbouring dock structures and reinforce a bold silhouette on the skyline, giving the development a memorable identity that nods to its setting and past.

As one of the earliest residential phases within the wider Wirral Waters, Millers Quay sets the standard for quality, scale and architectural character. The site’s location and orientation—framed by water on one side and the emerging Northbank neighbourhood on the other—demanded a scheme that had a confident personality.

Inspired by Wirral shipbuilders Cammell Laird, the chosen finishes reflect the site’s industrial legacy while creating a lively, contemporary façade language. Moments of reflection—where light bounces off the cladding and dances on the water—change the relationship between building and river throughout the day.

Our approach ensures that every apartment feels a strong connection to the water. Buildings follow a linear footprint and are carefully oriented to optimise views and sunlight. All north-facing homes benefit from dual-aspect layouts, while south-facing shared amenity terraces offer spaces for gathering, relaxing and enjoying long views down the dock.

Architecture and sustainability go hand in hand. A simple, robust approach to detailing has been adopted throughout the scheme, utilising modern construction technologies and a restrained palette of high-performance materials. Variations in metal cladding texture and profile give each block a distinct character while ensuring consistency and durability across the scheme. Millers Quay is a place built to last—an urban quarter with a strong visual identity, generous access to nature and daylight, and a clear role in the future of Birkenhead’s regeneration.