The Grade II-listed Eldon Grove tenement block was the first of its kind built outside London when it opened in 1912
Exasperated residents are locked in a dispute with developers over the failure to renovate a crumbling Edwardian tenement block which was the first of its type to be constructed outside London. Locals claim the run-down Grade II-listed Eldon Grove apartment block and gardens in Vauxhall, Liverpool, is drawing vandals and drug users who are making their lives a misery.
The striking building - which stands among tidy streets of Edwardian houses on the peaceful and charming Eldon Grove Estate - was inaugurated in 1912 but it deteriorated in the early 2000s. Efforts to renovate the buildings stopped in 2020 and the site has declined further, residents claim.
It was opened by the Countess of Derby, and the tenements - which were formerly described as the city's finest - are now thought to be the last surviving original style of its kind in the area. Legendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankly even once visited the apartment block when he was in charge of The Reds in 1965 and watched a kids' game of street football which took place in the playground below.
For the past two decades, frustrated residents say it has drawn young troublemakers who graffiti, take drugs, play loud music, and start fires inside the complex. They also maintain the streets are plagued by vermin, including rats and mice.
The abandoned Eldon Grove street, located in the Vauxhall area of Liverpool
The abandoned Eldon Grove street, located in the Vauxhall area of Liverpool(Image: SWNS)
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Disturbing drone footage reveals the enormous gaps in the roof, wild overgrowth, and mountains of rubbish strewn across the site. Planning approval to convert it into a cutting-edge apartment development was granted by Liverpool City Council in 2016.
The leaseholders, JGLT Developments Ltd, began construction until it halted around 2020 and hasn't resumed, according to local residents. The project was being carried out in partnership with property development company Bond Street Limited.
Locals are now urgently appealing to the firm and the council to resume work on the 'embarrassing eyesore'. Bond Street previously stated in April 2025 they intended to continue redevelopment but alleged the council was restricting their capacity.
Liverpool City Council has repeatedly rejected their assertions, saying it remains their 'long‐term ambition' to see the structure restored. John Doyle, 68, a Lib Dem campaigner who has lived across the road for the last 24 years, commented: "If I was ever to win the lottery, I'd buy it, and happily fix it up myself.
"It is an eyesore and everyone wants it sorted out. There are kids that mess around on there, do drugs, play loud music, and spray graffiti.
"I'm more worried about kids getting hurt as it is a tip in there - it feels like action will only be done at this point if someone injures themselves or worse."
A local resident who wishes to remain anonymous commented: "It's sad that for so many years it's been left to rot. It's a building that really stands out and if it was done up it would look really impressive. But it looks like it's going to go the way of so many fantastic old buildings."
Another man, who also declined to be named, remarked: "I don't know how this can be allowed to happen. It could be a beautiful asset to the city. I think the council should be looking at its redevelopment as a matter of urgency."
Eldon Grove was formerly home to a lively and thriving community accommodating workers and their families, and later students, before falling into disrepair.
In 2011, two rough sleepers set fire to it, inflicting additional damage to the structure. Subsequently, in January 2016, proposals were lodged with Liverpool Council to transform the building into a cutting-edge residential development featuring 45 flats alongside a further five housing blocks containing 85 flats.
Residents claim it has attracted young thugs who graffiti, do drugs, play loud music, and set fires inside the complex
Residents claim it has attracted young thugs who graffiti, do drugs, play loud music, and set fires inside the complex(Image: SWNS)
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Later that year, in December, the proposals received approval and construction was required to commence within three years for the planning consent to stay valid. Redevelopment began with initial renovations appearing encouraging, according to locals, but the work has since ground to a complete halt.
In May 2018, CEO Michael King stated he anticipated the development would take 'around 12 months', and would be aiming to have tenants moved in by the 'following summer'. JGLT Developments Ltd was dissolved in September 2020, according to Companies House.
The building was once more plagued, with intruders damaging the property and illegally dumping waste on the adjacent land - a problem which current leaseholders Bond Street claim to have spent a fortune rectifying.
John Doyle, a Lib Dem campaigner who lives across the road from Eldon Grove tenements
John Doyle, a Lib Dem campaigner who lives across the road from Eldon Grove tenements(Image: SWNS)
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The most recent developments were scheduled for February 2025, but according to locals, nothing transpired. At the time, Paul Brown, a project manager at Bond Street, accused the council of 'hindering their progress', alleging there were issues with the lease that only the council could resolve, which they refuted.
Residents report that no work has been carried out on the site since 2020 and are left wondering whether work will ever resume. Bond Street previously stated in 2025 that they were 'all systems go' on the project.
Fed-up residents have been locked in a 10-year battle with developers
Fed-up residents have been locked in a 10-year battle with developers(Image: SWNS)
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A spokesperson for Liverpool City Council said: "Eldon Grove is a privately owned, Grade II‐listed building with an extant planning permission for redevelopment.
"Whilst the council does not own or control the site, we engage with the owner through the planning and regeneration process and take action where appropriate on safety, cleanliness and antisocial behaviour.
"We remain clear that the long‐term ambition is to see this historically significant building restored and brought back into productive use for the benefit of the Vauxhall community."
Boss Street Liverpool Limited have been contacted for a comment.