New 87-room city centre hotel scheme gets planning approval

Liverpool architecture practice Falconer Chester Hall has secured planning permission for a hotel in the centre of the city.

The scheme, at 1 Union Court, will comprise an 87-room hotel through the conversion of an existing office building and the addition of a sensitive two-storey rooftop extension.

It has been designed for Eccles-based property company Xtravagant, and the hotel operator will be Meininger Hotels. The project was approved at today’s planning hearing (February 18).

“It’s wonderful news that we have been granted planning permission on this site,” said Robert Brym, associate director at Falconer Chester Hall.

“Meininger wanted a Liverpool destination in their portfolio and the former Watson Prickard building has provided the perfect solution.

“As the development is within a conservation area any changes to the building needed to be executed sensitively.

“The rooftop extension reflects the modern architecture of the existing building and the vertical proportions and ornamental details of the adjacent Liverpool tunnel shaft on North John Street.”

He added: “The material palette used on the extension complements the existing structure and the entrance canopy will create a welcoming, prominent feature for guests.”

Tom Morley, of Xtravagant, said: “This site provides a great city centre location with close proximity to key landmarks and restaurants, which is perfect for Meininger Hotels and their business model of providing modern, affordable, city centre rooms for the urban traveller.”

Other consultants on the scheme are: Structural engineers, Curtins; planning consultants, Zerum; M&E, Project 23; heritage, Heritage Architecture; fire, Omega Fire; project manager, Savills.