Work has started on the Grade II listed, former Royal Insurance Building, on Dale Street, Liverpool, which is conveniently located just 50m from our office.
Aloft, a Starwood hotel brand, will open the 4-star hotel after Liverpool council stepped in to save the building, which is on the national ‘At Risk’ register after having sat derelict for 20 years. The council have a partnership in place with Runcorn developers Ashall, who will now spend £18m creating the 116 bedroom hotel.
Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson said: “The Royal Insurance building is an important landmark in the heart of our city, with outstanding architectural and historical value. It has lain derelict for too long and we are determined to bring it back into meaningful use. It’s a great example of how we are working with the private sector to attract new investment, preserve our heritage and reduce the number of buildings at risk in our city, while boosting our hotel offer.”
Launched in 2008, Aloft Hotels rank among TripAdvisor’s ‘Top 25 Trendiest Hotels in the US and around the world.’ It was created with the aim of shaking up the traditional mid-market hotel sector, they feature urban-influenced, modern design at an affordable price. Aloft Liverpool will feature the brand’s signature high ceilings, oversized windows, comfortable platform beds, walk-in showers and atmospheric public spaces. It will also offer creative spaces for meetings and presentations.
With Ashall and Balfour Beatty, we are aiming for a completion date at the end of 2014 supported by an English Heritage grant of £297,500.
Mark Ashall, director at Ashall Property, said it had been a highly challenging project. He said, “FCH has designed a scheme which complements and preserves the great heritage of this property and we are both excited and proud to have the opportunity to regenerate an iconic building and provide Liverpool with a vibrant, design-led hotel complete with restaurant and meeting space.”