September opening for revamped Liverpool North Western Hall hotel

Radisson is returning the grade two-listed building back to its original use, opening the first North West location for its upscale and playful Radisson RED brand.

North Western Hall dates back to 1871 and sits by Liverpool Lime Street.

The Victorian gem was designed by Alfred Waterhouse, the architect behind Manchester Town Hall, Victoria Gallery & Museum in Liverpool and Rochdale Town Hall. The hotel closed in the 1930s, later becoming student accommodation.

Now its story is set to come full circle – albeit several months later than anticipated.

Originally, the hotel had targeted a March 2022 opening. That date was pushed back due to delays caused by the pandemic. It now plans to open in September.

The reproduced stained glass window at Radisson RED Liverpool. Credit: via Influential

Honouring the building’s history, Radisson is conducting a £30m restoration and renovation of the property. This includes reproducing a 19th-century stained glass window and restoring the sandstone grand staircase and its 94-metre handrail.

A doorway leading out onto the Lime Street train station concourse has also been reopened.

Deansgate Contractors is at work on the site, creating 201 bedrooms in the 10-storey hotel. When Radisson RED opens, it will also have a modern steak restaurant and five meeting rooms.

Each of those meeting rooms will be named after an iconic building in Liverpool: Lime, Walker, Empire and St George. The fifth will be named after the hotel’s original architect: Waterhouse.

It took 792 hours to restore the grand staircase at Radisson RED Liverpool. Credit: via Influential

“This is a truly incredible building,” said Nathan Hooper, project manager for Deansgate Contractors. “It has been an absolute privilege to be part of the journey to return the hotel to its former grandeur.”

Hooper continued: “When we started work, it was clear the building had declined and needed some major TLC, which we have given it throughout the renovation process.”

“Opening up the passage onto the station concourse and restoring the stained glass window are just some of the ways we have managed to retain the building’s history, while creating a space that is suited to the modern traveller,” he said.

“I’ve no doubt that, once complete, Radisson RED will be a real jewel in the city’s tourism crown.”

CGI showing the future interior of Radisson RED Liverpool. Credit: via Influential

Gary Waring, Radisson RED Liverpool general manager, said the hotel was “excited to welcome guests this summer”.

Waring also praised the building’s past.

“North Western Hall is one of Liverpool’s most recognisable and iconic landmarks, but its story is not known, or told enough,” he said.

“The construction and design teams have worked tirelessly to restore some of its most impressive features and help breathe new life into the hotel so that it’s fit for purpose in 2022.”