Hotel conversion for listed Liverpool Fruit Exchange
The grade two-listed Fruit Exchange in Liverpool could be renovated and converted into a 91-room luxury hotel under plans put in to the city council.
The historic building, which dates from the 1800s, has stood vacant for a number of years, although the ground floor has been used as a pub in recent years.
Historic images of Fruit Exchange included in the planning application
Applicant JSM Group, advised by Wroot Design, has put in the application to add a storey to the building and deliver apartments for “couples, families and groups”.
The scheme would see the “refurbishment of the iconic building and the historic auction rooms”, including restoring the two former exchange halls, cleaning the two street-facing sides of the property, and restoring boarded-up windows.
In documents submitted to the council, Wroot said: “The main aim of the design is to bring life back to a once very important building, this is to be achieved by restoring and redeveloping the existing and creating a luxury hotel in an important part of the city centre.”
Fruit Exchange sites within the Castle Street conservation area.
The applicant, JSM Group, is led by Jamie Motlagh, who is behind a series of city centre bars; Black Rabbit, Soho, Brooklyn Mixer, and Level Club.
Plans were put in at the start of 2018 by the same team, to add two storeys to Fruit Exchange and deliver 59 aparthotel rooms. However the proposals were never progressed.
Delighted to see the Fruit Exchange restored. The Victoria Street public realm with its widened pavements will pay back dividends as the area develops like Castle Street.
By Liverpolitan
If it ain’t Deluxe. (RITZ) With some form of dress code don’t bother. Turn it into Apparments that reflect its facade.
By Carlbuckleypoland@gmail.com
I am so pleased that grand building won’t be left to rot further. I worked there in the 70s and I remember going into the auction room while the auction was in full swing to get details of the prices and sales then I would telex the details to the suppliers in Spain. Would love to wander around one last time and look at my old office. Many happy memories of my time there.
By margaret connor
It doesn’t have to be deluxe. It’s another piece of our heritage restored, and more hotel rooms mean a more vibrant city, and a bigger economy. For every conversion like this we gain several times over as our city regains its lustre, and becomes ever more attractive to investors and visitors.
By Liverpolitan
Liverpool should be more fruity. Get it restored.
By Michael McDonut
The area would be a real gem, especially with this proposal, unfortunately it also has nightclubs which are open until 7am at weekends and 5am during the week which really blights the street.
By Victorian