Hotel operator and developer will start work on the four-star, 100-bedroom hotel in September, transforming the gothic Jerome and Carlisle Buildings in Victoria Street. Tony McDonough reports
Hotel operator and developer Signature Living is to create a new hotel named after Everton FC legend Dixie Dean – just across the road from its Shankly Hotel.
The company will start work on the four-star, 100-bedroom hotel in September, transforming the gothic Jerome and Carlisle Buildings in Victoria Street.
Signature founder Lawrence Kenwright has also pledged to find a new home for the community of artists, musicians and creatives who are currently resident there.
The Grade II-Listed site was built between 1883 and 1885 and designed by architect John Clarke for the iron founder H Rankin.
Uncertain future
The community of creatives are housed there under a charity called Creative Space Team and the future for them is unclear.
In recent months Creative Space Team has made attempts to strike a deal with the building’s owner, Manchester developer Urban Splash, but was unable to reach an agreement.
On Friday afternoon Mr Kenwright told YBnews he was working with the charity to find them an alternative home.
Family backing
The new hotel is part of a plan to create a ‘Football Quarter’ in Liverpool’s centre, boosting the city’s tourism offer and creating hundreds more jobs locally.
Signature opened the Shankly Hotel, named after legendary Liverpool FC manager Bill Shankly, in the autumn of 2015.
Similar to the Shankly, the Dixie Dean Hotel will showcase memorabilia from the centre forward’s career. Dean’s family, including daughter Barbara Dean and granddaughter Melanie Prentice, fully support the project.
William Ralph ‘Dixie’ Dean was born in 1907 and was recognised as a player of legendary ability.
In a match against Chelsea in 1931 he scored five times in the first 32 minutes. He scored a remarkable 349 goals in 399 matches for Everton.
Project launch
On Friday members of the Dean family attended a launch event for the project.
His granddaughter Melanie Prentice said: “The Dixie Dean hotel cements my grandfather’s status as a footballing icon, and I couldn’t be prouder of the amazing plans for this hotel.
“Dixie was great friends with Bill Shankly. They had an enduring friendship despite representing rival teams, so it’s good to see them commemorated side by side. It means their legends will live on.”
‘Forgotten corner’
Signature Living founder Lawrence Kenwright added: “This project will help further regenerate what was, until recently, a forgotten corner of the city centre. It’s now thriving, with top hotels, restaurants and bars.
“We expect our planned Football Quarter to create hundreds of jobs, attract further investment into Liverpool and boost this brilliant city’s tourism offer.”
The 65,000 sq ft hotel will offer restaurants, bars and an events space for weddings.