Developer and hotel operator wants to sell The Shankly and 30 James Street hotels as it looks to raise funds for its expansion plans. Tony McDonough reports
Signature Living has tasked property agent Savills with finding buyers for The Shankly and 30 James Street Hotels in Liverpool.
The Shankly in Victoria Street is on the market with a price tag of £35m and 30 James Street offered at £16m and Savills says it is expecting “significant interest” from investors for both sites.
Signature, founded by Lawrence Kenwright, is pushing forward with expansion plans for new hotels in Manchester, Preston, Cardiff and Bristol and is pledging to create 1,500 new jobs. So the sale of the two Liverpool hotels would boost the company’s war chest.
Located at 60 Victoria, directs opposite Signature new Dixie Dean Hotel, The Shankly comprise 59 apart-hotel style bedrooms all based upon the football player and manager, Bill Shankly. The hotel also includes the Bastion Bar and Restaurant, two event suites, two roof top terraces and an underground car park.
At 30 James Street, the iconic Grade II listed apart-hotel comprises 63 nautical themed rooms, inspired by the building’s historical occupier, White Star Line. The hotel also includes a rooftop terrace bar and restaurant, events space and spa facilities.
Mr Kenwright, said: “Signature Living has developed and operated two of Liverpool’s most successful hotels ever with The Shankly and 30 James Street. The hotels are huge tourism beacons in their own right, turning over incredible profits.
“The profits from the sale of the hotels will allow us to fuel major expansion plans. This is an exciting new era for Signature Living. We’re looking forward to the future – a future that involves new developments across the UK.”
Tom Cunningham, director at Savills Manchester, added: “The Shankly and 30 James Street hotels present investors with two rare opportunities to acquire iconic, characterful hotels in the centre of Liverpool. With the city continuing to enjoy strong tourism growth, we’re expecting significant interest is these two sites.”