The team behind a scheme to bring an old council building back to life, transforming it into the next 'Baltic Triangle', say they are "well on the way" to making the goal a reality.
Make Liverpool CIC has started work on the Treasury Annexe Building in Hamilton Square, Birkenhead, and this week, BusinessLive was given access to the building to take a look around.
Inside the building, firms have already started to move in and redevelopment has already begun, although large swathes of it remain relatively untouched, with the council having been in the process of moving its staff out over the past few years.
The firm is currently midway through a to raise funds for the Make Hamilton Square project, with the aim of making it a destination for the arts, culture and creative entrepreneurs.
So far, it has raised 73% of the total target.
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Once complete, bosses promise it will become a "hive of activity", including an urban farm, community garden, cafe, studios and meeting spaces, creating £1.6m for Wirral over the coming years.
It is hoped the re-development will breathe new life into , with those responsible for the success of Liverpool's behind the plans.
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Liam Kelly, CEO of Make, said: "The interest and support people have shown in our plans has been amazing.
"We’re getting stuck in and starting to transform this dilapidated building into a creative and cultural hub; with workspace and a café for Wirral’s residents.
"So far we’ve reached 73% of our target on the crowdfunding campaign which is focused on reviving the garden, which means we’re well on our way to bringing it back to life."
Make CIC, who offer similar workspaces in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle and , says the creative hub will provide opportunities for the local community and visitors, allowing them to attend events and classes, learning skills and crafts.
The firm says the biggest transformation will take place outside, with the revival of the currently neglected and overgrown “millennium garden” into a community garden space, just off Hamilton Square.
Plans include a small urban farm with raised beds for growing vegetables, well-being space for sitting, reading, and meeting, and an outdoor courtyard for the cafe in the day and events at night.