Novotel parent, Accor Hotels, has signed a branding agreement with Liverpool City Council for the 18-storey development in Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter. Tony McDonough reports
A new £35m hotel planned for Liverpool’s £1bn Paddington Village scheme will operate under the Novotel brand.
Novotel parent, Accor Hotels, has signed a branding agreement with Liverpool City Council for the 18-storey development in the city’s Knowledge Quarter (KQ Liverpool) which will comprise a four-star, 160-bedroom hotel and 60-bedroom aparthotel.
It will be the second Novotel in Liverpool city centre with the first already open in Hanover Street. Legacy Hotels & Resorts will operate the hotel on behalf of Accor.
Legacy, through its wholly owned subsidiary Branded Hotel Management, operationally delivered and now manages the Pullman Liverpool, also on a franchisee agreement with Accor Hotels, on the city’s waterfront.
Striking tower
Located opposite the new Royal Liverpool Hospital the striking tower will have a commanding presence across the city as its highest venue, and when lit at night it will be the beacon for KQ Liverpool.
To be designed by Ryder Architecture, the hotel will include a generous reception foyer and atrium with multi-purpose conference and event facilities, function bar, restaurant and executive bar lounge, fitness suite and meeting rooms.
Subject to planning approval, it is anticipated construction, to be undertaken by Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure, will begin in summer 2019 and completed in 2021 with the build supporting 400 construction jobs – two thirds of which will be recruited from the local labour supply chain.
Economic boost
As well as a landmark building, the hotel has already provided a boost to the city’s economy with all the appointed designers coming from Liverpool: Ryder (architects), Curtin’s (structural engineers) and Steven Hunt Associates (mechanical and electrical).
Furthermore, 65% of the hotel’s projected £2.5m annual spend is set to be procured within the Liverpool city region.
Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson, said: “I’m thrilled at how many Liverpool businesses are involved in its design and construction – this will truly be an iconic landmark for the city, by the city and echoes everything we are aiming to achieve in Paddington Village to underpin the city’s position as a world leading innovation district.
“Paddington Village is attracting huge international attention with the prestigious roster of names signed up to the scheme and it already has a hallmark for excellence. This new hotel will reflect that status from its design through to its service and I’m confident once complete it will be a hotel the city will be proud of.”
Colin Sinclair, chief executive of KQ Liverpool, said: “When Accor showed us their stylish new Novotel at Canary Wharf in London, we knew it was the iconic presence we needed for this landmark site. It is yet more evidence of the growing importance of Liverpool as a world-class destination.”