Five-star hotel approved for Liverpool’s Water St

COUNCILLORS in Liverpool have approved plans for a five-star hotel next to the city’s town hall at the Martins Bank building on Water Street.

Liverpool-based Castlewood Property Management wants to turn the 11-storey building, which closed as a Barclays Bank four years ago, into a 138-bed luxury hotel and retain some floors for offices.

It is planning a spa in the lower ground floor and wants to turn the former banking hall into the hotel reception, restaurant and bar. Floors four to seven will continue to be used as offices.

Castlewood’s intentions have been criticised by architectural groups for “inappropriate” changes to the Herbert Rowse-designed building which is considered to be one of the city’s finest examples of inter-war architecture.

Plans for a mezzanine floor in the banking hall will have a “detrimental” impact on the building’s significance and detract from its classical elegance, according to the Twentieth Century Society. The Liverpool Preservation Trust also opposed the planned conversion, saying it was not appropriate for such an important building.

In a report the council said: “The proposed physical works, which have been designed in a sensitive manner and are reversible in nature, are considered appropriate for the listed building. The scheme retains the significant elements of the exterior and interior without major harmful alteration. Furthermore, the proposals will bring this partially vacant listed building back into full, beneficial use and will enable the public to have the opportunity to visit the building.”