Liverpool’s historic Ashcroft Building primed for conversion
An application to redevelop the Victoria Street building into apartments has been lodged with the city council.
The proposals come from Dolby Hotel Liverpool, operator of the eponymous hotel close to the Queens Dock. The company is fronted by Adam Younis, who is looking to bring 30 apartments to what is a largely redundant building on a vital city centre street.
The site, at the junction with Cumberland Street, is directly across Victoria Street from the entrance to the Everyman cinema at the Metquarter. This is within the boundaries of the Castle Street conservation area.
Designed by Hoult & Wise, the Ashcroft Building was purpose-built to house a company making and selling billiard tables. It was completed in 1883 and although not listed, is of historic importance, said Wroot Design, adviser on the project.
Although the ground floor has been in recent use as a restaurant and bar, the upper floors have long been unused.
Wroot said that the development would “create a positive atmosphere with 24-hour activity” in an area where apartments and serviced apartment projects have become widespread.
What has been lodged is an application for prior approval. The applicant intends to add two storeys to the roof, in what Wroot said would be a “sympathetic” addition.
Set back from the building’s frontages, the extension would not be any taller than the tallest part of the building, at its corner. The rooftop extension would include 10 apartments, and the main building 20.
Many of these offices are unpopular now, and this space has been dormant for some time, so conversion will bring vibrancy to the immediate area and lead to custom for local cafes, bars and shops,as happens in Europe.
However if the Liverpool economy was more buoyant there may well have been a demand for even these smaller offices, but the real need is for the high quality ,grade A office accommodation that Pall Mall can provide, but the council seem to be saying nothing about this scheme even though the new mayor must have a view on it.
By Anonymous
Somebody seems to have flytipped a couple of portakabins on the roof.
By Anonymous
Nice to see another beautiful building being brought back to life and upgraded
By Anonymous
Great to see Liverpool taking care of its heritage with a design that retain the old while giving it a modern twist. This contrasts with Manchester which seems driven to turn itself into a blander version of Birmingham with identikit 1960s/1970s style tower blocks.
By Ben