Equans unveils vision for Liverpool’s Grafton Rooms
A six-storey apartment block is lined up to replace the iconic nightclub off West Derby Road, with plans to create 90 affordable flats next door to the Olympia building.
Equans Regeneration has submitted plans to Liverpool City Council to demolish the vacant Grafton Rooms building and breathe new life into the Kensington site.
The Studio RBA-designed scheme would provide 47 one- and 43 two-bedroom rent-to-buy apartments, to be owned and managed by affordable housing provider Sovini.
Studio RBA designed the scheme. Credit: via planning documents
Under the proposals, the Grafton’s Edwardian Neoclassical frontage would be kept as a design feature and a nod to the history of the site.
The Grafton was opened in 1924 as a grand ballroom, before turning into a prominent nightclub by the 1970s. Having closed its doors in 2008, the property briefly reopened as a comedy club but has now been vacant for around 10 years.
Savills is advising Equans on the proposals. The project team also includes E3P, Clancy Consulting, Prime Transport Planning, LK Group, and Redmore Environmental.
Want to learn more about the plans? Search for application number 23F/1939 on Liverpool City Council’s planning portal.
Nice use of the front facade. I wish more new buildings did this, integrating the old and the new.
By Chris
Friday nights won’t be the same.
By Liverpolitis
A nice idea to try and retain part of the original facade of a place that has meant a lot to many people over the years, but suspect the chances of a not particularly high quality early C20 facade on a building which hasn’t been looked after staying upright once separated from the rest of it are quite low, even if the intent is there.
By Anonymous
My grandmother’s neighbour told me what a grand place it used to be when it was a ballroom – and the different dance styles. There was another one called the Locarno and a dance called the Lecarno creep! All the ballrooms had their own special dances. Lost era!
By Mary Smiley
Be nice if this happens as that section of West Derby Rd looks desolate, the frontage of the Grafton gets spared and absorbed into the new scheme.
If only we get something similar proposed on the opposite side of the road as at present it looks like Berlin in 1944.
By Anonymous
Looks great… been a few similar proposals come through recently for Liverpool. Just hope some bigger ones are on the way in 2024
By Anonymous
Looks good
By Anonymous
Yet more unwanted highrise, haven’t they learned anything from the past nobody wants to live in highrise , will just be full of supported living ,and yet another land mark of our history wiped out
By Norman Gorton
Pink Floyd once played the Grafton, true story.
By John
Yes new affordable homes I hope this is just the beginning of more homes on vacant sites in Liverpool.
By Steve
I’m all for keeping our history, but ..the windows of the six- storey flats behind don’t line up & “ match” the ones of the historical facade. If the design could be changed so that they did, the whole development would look more fitting ( and more grand).
By Amanda
@norman Unwanted hi rise? It’s 6 storeys, Manchester would laugh at a scheme like this
By Giant Skyscraper Fan
This looks great. Get it built
By Anonymous