Opened in Liverpool in 1864, Grade I-listed Oriel Chambers was said to have inspired the early American skyscrapers and will now be under the care of the Momentum Group. Tony McDonough reports
Property services business the Momentum Group has secured a facilities management contract for Liverpool’s historic Oriel Chambers office building.
Located in Water Street, Oriel Chambers was designed by renowned architect Peter Ellis. He maximised the influx of light by employing a grid of oriel windows. This became the building’s defining feature.
His design was thought to have inspired John Welborn Root, a renowned American architect of the Chicago School of Architecture.
He was sent to study in Liverpool by his father who was concerned for his safety during the American Civil War. The long rows of bay windows in Oriel Chambers were a feature of the early US skyscrapers.
In 2019 the building was acquired by Yakel Property Investments. The firm has spent £750,000 to update the office space. It has also been careful to respect the original architecture and heritage of the building.
It has appointed Liverpool-based Momentum Group to deliver “hard and soft” maintenance services for the Grade I listed building on Water Street. Momentum will be responsible for daily housekeeping, cleaning and general maintenance for the building and its tenants.
Chris Bliss, director and co-founder of The Momentum Group, said “To be able to showcase our housekeeping and maintenance team’s skills and high level of service in this historic building is testament to the quality of delivery we demand and where our team thrives.”
Oriel Chambers boasts 85% occupancy with offices ranging from 138 sq ft to 6,000 sq ft. It remains home to one of Liverpool’s oldest legal practices, Oriel Chambers Barristers, who have been in the building since 1965.
Charlotte Sibcy of Yakel added “The Momentum Group’s experience and high-level service delivery is what appealed to us. Their agile approach and personal service reflects our own values and ambition for Oriel Chambers.”