These new amenities will add to a city which, in recent years, saw Paul McCartney's childhood home at 20 Forthlin Road become a National Trust property, and the opening of the new FACT centre devoted to film, art and creative technology.The best-laid plans for bricks and mortar have a knack for going awry, however, usually for financial reasons. There is no guarantee that each and every Capital of Culture project will see the light of day. But as a council spokesman told me, winning the award makes their actual construction more likely.THE LOW-DOWNGetting thereLondon is just over two-and-a-half hours by train. John Lennon Airport is eight miles away and has regular flights to many British and European cities. Liverpool will have an air link to every major European capital by 2008.ShoppingAll the usual department stores, plus trendy retailers in Clayton Square and Cavern Walks Designer shopping centre, and assorted markets. Heritage Market at Stanley Dock has 500 stalls in a listed Victorian warehouse, and there is a monthly Farmers' Market in the centre.EntertainmentMulti-screen cinemas are located in the city centre and in other Merseyside locations.
Traditional and experimental drama are presented at The Empire, Liverpool Playhouse, the Everyman Theatre, Unity Theatre and Neptune Theatre. The city will inaugurate an annual American/ Irish Festival linking New York, Dublin and Liverpool, and the 5th Liverpool Biennial will be held in 2008. The many pop music venues include Flying Picket and Krazyhouse, and classical concerts are performed at Philharmonic Hall and other locations.MuseumsLiverpool's eight museums and galleries, which include the Tate, the Maritime Museum, and several venues celebrating the early years of The Beatles, are set to be joined by a Museum of Comedy and a digital World Discovery Centre.SportsThe council funds several swimming pools, a tennis centre, and fitness facilities in more than a dozen complexes throughout the city. Dry skiing, karting, kayaking and other water sports are also on offer. Liverpool FC has an interactive museum, and Everton has tours of Goodison Park.PricesA ground-floor studio flat in Liverpool 8 near Princes Park, £32,950.
Also in L8, an early Victorian Grade II five-bed two-reception house with two kitchens near Sefton Park, £345,000. In L5, a two-bed canalside townhouse, £84,950, through Sutton Kersh.Trendy flatsIn Ropewalks, FPDSavills is selling one-bed flats from £98,857, and two-bed flats, some with balcony, from £134,981 to £155,863 (Manchester, 0161 2447711).Gracious livingSutton Kersh is selling flats with views of the Three Graces and the waterfront. A two-bed flat in a waterside development near Albert Dock with car space, £165,000. A duplex penthouse just across from the Liver Building with front and rear terraces, three bedrooms, 24-hour concierge, two car spaces and residents' gym, £425,000.Two nationsA triple-fronted five-bed, four-reception detached house with double garage and conservatory in Freshfield, £1m at Michael Moon.
In L4, a two-bed terrace is £29,950, and in L21, a three-bed period terrace is £37,950.NewBellway's Pall Mall in the centre has two-bed flats from £142,995, and penthouses from £257,995 (0151 236 1758). Orchard Park in Netherton has three- and four-bed houses from £124,995 (0151 531 9726), and Hunts Cross Village's first phase has flats and houses from £119,995 (0151 448 9601).Estate agentsJones & Chapman, 0151 734 1440; Michael Moon, 01704 833000; Sutton Kersh, 0151 236 2332.. Does it include a big red fire engine? Does it include a big red fire engine? Sadly, no. The station, which forms only part of the property, was built in 1883. It housed a horse-drawn pump that, unfortunately, was sold off long ago. It's one of Ealing's oldest voluntary fire stations and was eventually disbanded in 1924.How does it look now?The old fire station is in a mews building, along with the old stables and a workshop, all in original condition.
