Municipal Buildings, Liverpool

Municipal Buildings is former council facility that is being converted into a hotel, on Dale Street, Liverpool, England. It is a Grade II* listed building.[1]

Main Entrance, Dale Street

Municipal Buildings
Municipal Buildings, Dale Street
LocationDale Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, England
OS grid referenceSJ 3490
Built1862-1868
Architectural style(s)Italian and French Renaissance
Governing bodyHistoric England
Listed Building – Grade II*
Designated12 July 1966
Reference no.1068281

History

The building was built by the town council to accommodate the growing number of administrative staff. Work was started in 1862 by Liverpool Corporation surveyor John Weightman, and finished by Edward Robert Robson in 1868.[1] The building was put up for sale by the council in 2016 as it was deemed "surplus to requirements" and too expensive to run and maintain.[2]

In January 2016, it was announced that Singapore-based property developer Fragrance Group had bought the building and were planning on turning it into a 4-star hotel. [3] The remaining 640 council staff currently working in the building were moved to other offices within the city ahead of the sale.[4] Work began in autumn 2020. [5] The project is worth £40 million, and involves the creation of a four storey extension at the back of the building, allowing the facility to have a pool, spa, gym and space for 179 suites for guests.[6]

Architecture

The building has three storeys and is built of stone with a lead roof. The design of the building was influenced by both Italian and French Renaissance. Around the balcony are sixteen sandstone figures representing the arts, sciences and industries of Liverpool. In the centre of the building is the tower, with its balconies, clocks and five bells. The four quarter bells are hung for English-style Change Ringing. A two-stage pyramidal spire is situated on the top the tower.[7]

  • Europe, Dale Street front
  • America, Dale Street front
  • Asia, Dale Street front
  • Africa, Dale Street front
  • Agriculture, Dale Street front
  • Manufacturing, Dale Street front
  • Cotton, Dale Street front
  • Navigation, Dale Street front
  • Astronomy, Dale Street front
  • Trade, Dale Street front
  • Literature, Sir Thomas Street front
  • Music, Sir Thomas Street front
  • Art, Sir Thomas Street front
  • Architecture, Sir Thomas Street front
  • Engineering, Crosshall Street front
  • Building, Crosshall Street front
  • Electricity, Crosshall Street front
  • Medicine, Crosshall Street front

See also

References
  1. Historic England. "Municipal Buildings, Liverpool (1068281)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  2. "Liverpool City Council to sell Grade II* listed Municipal Buildings". BBC News. 30 September 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  3. Houghton, Alistair (26 January 2017). "Municipal Buildings SOLD to Singapore firm". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  4. Houghton, Alistair (31 December 2016). "Remembering Liverpool's Municipal Buildings". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  5. Hougton, Tom (30 November 2020). "Inside Liverpool's Municipal Building as £40m hotel transformation begins". Business Live. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  6. "£40m Liverpool hotel project hits major milestone". Liverpool Business News. 25 October 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  7. "Looking back at Liverpool's Municipal Buildings". Liverpool Echo. 31 December 2016. Retrieved 10 April 2020.

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