Liverpool hotels operator puts two Belfast properties up for sale

Laurence Kenwright

A Liverpool hotels operator has put two Belfast properties earmarked as hotels up for sale.

Signature Living acquired the two listed buildings, Crumlin Road Courthouse and the former Waring Street War Memorial Building, between 2017 and 2018.

Crumlin Road Courthouse has planning permission for a 71-bed hotel.

Signature Living, owned by Laurence Kenwright, said it had planned to invest £25m in the site in what it called The Lanyon Hotel.

The Waring Hotel, which was announced as a £5m 42-bed project, received planning permission in March 2018.

However, the two sites have been put on the market by property agents Colliers.

Earlier this week Signature Living officially brought to market its Shankly and 30 James Street hotels in Liverpool city centre, seeking offers from £35m and £16m, respectively.

Plans to sell the properties were originally announced in May this year, with valuations of £40m and £17m, respectively.

The Irish News reports that last December Mr Kenwright threatened to scale back his investment plans for Belfast after claiming his relationship with Belfast City Council had become “a living nightmare”.

A spokesperson for Signature Living said: “I can confirm both The Crumlin Road courthouse and Waring Street sites are on the market. Our sites in Belfast are constantly under review, as part of our continued growth strategy throughout GB.”

The Irish News said Crumlin Road Courthouse, which closed in 1998, was reportedly acquired by Signature in March 2017 for around £500,000.

It is not clear how much was paid for the Waring Street property, but it was previously sold to Kremlin Associates in October 2015 for £1.1m.

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