Milliners Yard, New Pulse in Liverpool’s Fabric District

Jasper Sanders + Partners brings new energy to Liverpool’s historic Fabric District with Milliners Yard, an 11-storey residential development crafted for the Build-to-Rent market. Commissioned by Columbia Threadneedle Investments, the project comprises 258 apartments and aims to bridge the area’s millinery past with the rhythm of contemporary urban living.

Contextual Design Rooted in Memory

Design inspiration stemmed from the Fabric District’s industrial heritage, brought to life by the creative direction of Rebecca Finney, who drew upon personal memories of Liverpool’s storied retail scene. These recollections informed signature interior elements—like the reinterpreted egg-crate ceiling, referencing the TJ Hughes department store visible from the ground floor lounge. Jasper Sanders + Partners ensured the narrative is deeply embedded in both the naming and visual identity of the project, developed alongside Society Studios.

Intuitive Flow through Cohesive Interiors

The studio designed all shared spaces including the entrance, fitness suite, and corridors, while operator Allsop oversaw the apartments themselves. The 3,220 sq ft ground-floor amenity space balances functionality and flexibility with zones for work, rest, and socialising. Features such as the modular concrete reception desk, quiet pod, and coffee bar foster an intuitive flow and nurture community. A snaking light fixture by UR-EKA playfully disrupts the dominant grid theme, adding a dynamic thread of movement.

Textile Motifs and Urban Materials

Milliners Yard’s interiors adopt a monochromatic palette grounded in desaturated burgundy and soft neutrals—mirroring both the architecture of the district and its textile roots. From Mosa tiles and Kvadrat fabrics to muted Valcromat shelving and Ultrafabrics leather, each choice resonates with tactile memory and context. Linear and grid motifs echo weaving and stitching, creating subtle unity throughout the spaces.

Brand Identity that Threads it All Together

In tandem with Society Studios, the studio designed a graphic language that enhances wayfinding and visual storytelling. Bespoke glazing details with rhythmic lines and a buttonhole cross-stitch icon reinforce the weaving narrative. This symbol has even been adapted into branded merchandise, extending the identity beyond architecture. “The scheme is a vibrant and distinctive addition to Liverpool’s residential landscape,” noted Jasper Sanders + Partners, reflecting on a design that not only honours the past but engages the present with clarity and character.

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