Sandfield Tower, the home of Joseph Edwards, a rich merchant who traded with South America in the cotton trade. We can only hope this fantastic building is restored to its former glory in the grounds of Sandfield Park, and become a much used building once again, from a villa to a former church..... Grade II listed and unloved by many, this is a personal plight to have the building restored and cared for again!

Sandfield Tower is a 3 level Grade II listed building in the south of Liverpool, set back from the main road and lost in time compared to the neighbouring houses. Now derelict and fire damaged throughout most of the building, it is left to the mercy of the weather which is getting in through many of the open windows and part-missing roof. The original name for this building was called Sandfield - The Tower due to its location and the fact that there is a beautiful sandstone tower rising through the centre of the building. It was built in 1851, and by 1857 it was owned by Joseph Edwards, a South American merchant for use as a private Villa. It was then owned from 1880-1881 by Miss Alice Houghton. William Kinsman owned it from the years 1882-1890 and then Ralph Lyon Broadbent owned the property from 1891-1900. When the building was then sold, it was converted in to the First Church of Christ the Scientist. This sect then secured permission to erect the building on the corner of the site, now a private day-care centre/nursery. Sandfield Tower subsequently fell vacant after the Church moved into this new building, and it was then sold on to its present owner. Both English Heritage and Liverpool City Council are aware of the the current state of the building and naturally, people from Liverpool will have seen the 'Stop the Rot' campaign which has been featured in the Liverpool Echo on many occasions. In 2001, the City Council employed a Buildings at Risk Officer to tackle the problem of delapidated listed buildings. Properties have been identified and prioritised for action. Money has been provided by the City Council and Northwest Development Agency to enable the Buildings at Risk Officer to use the statutory powers available. As a priority building, Sandfield Tower has been subject to such measures. We can only hope that this building is saved and returned to its former glory, standing at the entrance to Sandfield Park. Today, Sandfield Tower stands there unloved. Passed by many who don't give it a second glance. Without a roof in parts, without it's protective cover. A burnt out shell waiting to be restored - waiting for a second life. Gone are the silent white Rolls Royce cars driving up the path to let people in to their private sect, gone are the lit fireplaces and gone is the respect of the mansion, now derelict, fire damaged and vandalised. The hope of the building is in the people reading these words.

Saving another historical gem in liverpool!

SANDFIELD TOWER

The home of Joseph Edwards

The Overview:

I am a local historian, and the Proprietor of Cyon Website Design. My first association with Sandfield Tower was by chance. Being stuck in a traffic jam a good few years back and only noticing the building at the side set back from the road. It was derelict back then too,but had a mystery about why it was left there in such a built up area and I had to find out more - and see inside! With help from the local Record Office, and past history of the area, I began to piece together the history of the building and the reasons for it now being empty. If you have information on Sandfield Tower (which has many names - Sandfield Tower, Sandfield - The Tower, Gwalia) then please contact me and I would be glad to hear from you! This website is dedicated to the restoration of Sandfield Tower, the telling of the story of the building, its different uses and to show what Liverpool has to offer tucked away in a hidden corner without a second glance of the building.

Location:

Central Drive, Sandfield Park

Built:

1851

Design:

Unknown

Listed:

Grade 2 Listed

Features:

A grand Grade II listed building set in the corner of Sandfield Park. Used as a private villa and later as a private church,, it has extensive grounds outside the property, 3 large reception rooms, spacious entrance hall, 6 bedrooms with a further two attic rooms and a large tower rising through the centre of the building. A historical gem that needs to be preserved and protected!