Cotton Exchange
Liverpool
When the iconic Cotton Exchange in Liverpool’s business district faced the end of an era for its original heating system, there was no option for a quick fix. The building’s ageing shell-and-tube boilers were time-expired, with obsolete parts and failing reliability, leaving more than comfort at stake. The solution needed to safeguard this Grade II listed landmark’s future without compromising its heritage, all while working within the tight summer maintenance window.
Location
Liverpool
Client
Bruntwood
Size
Boiler outputs totalled 1 megawatts
Duration
4 months
CubicWorks designed and delivered a complete boiler replacement scheme to bring the Cotton Exchange’s heating system into the modern age. We installed four high-efficiency Hamworthy Upton boilers with a 4200kW plate-to-plate heat exchanger to prolong lifespan and maximise efficiency.
The works also included complex flue installations, requiring structural adaptations and chimney lining, along with new control systems, electrical upgrades, and precise integration with existing plant. All works were carried out in an occupied building and delivered in time for the heating season, ensuring zero disruption to tenants when winter arrived.
Heritage constraints, a narrow summer window, and the need to work around residents and busy city-centre traffic meant this was far from a standard plantroom upgrade.
The flue route was unconventional, requiring bespoke structural works. Asbestos removal had to be handled with meticulous care. Large plant crane lifts were orchestrated with precision to minimise disruption to surrounding homes and businesses. Extensive survey work wasn’t possible until heating was shut down, leaving no room for error in planning or delivery.
The CubicWorks Difference
While many shy away from the complexities of heritage plant replacements, we excel at engineering solutions that bridge history and high performance.
Our in-house Gas Safe and NICEIC teams handled isolations, pipework adaptations, gas works, and electrical installations seamlessly, reducing dependency on third-party contractors and maintaining tight control over quality. We coordinated with specialist partners for asbestos works, control systems, and manufacturer-led commissioning to ensure every element was right first time.
The Cotton Exchange now benefits from a futureproof heating system that improves efficiency, reduces consumption, and safeguards the comfort of all occupants, without compromising the building’s historic character. Delivered on time and without disruption, the project stands as an example of how CubicWorks brings technical mastery, logistical agility, and respect for heritage to even the most challenging mechanical upgrades.
When you work on a building as storied as the Cotton Exchange, you’re not just replacing equipment, you’re protecting a piece of the city’s legacy. By combining modern engineering with careful planning, we ensured this Liverpool landmark can continue to thrive for decades to come.
CubicWorks
