The Municipal Hotel Liverpool Has Been Revived
Such is the nature of Liverpool as a city that it isn’t easy for new venues to make their mark on it. That is especially the case when old venues get something of a revamp, bringing them into the modern era and offering an excellent combination of the city’s history and the modern.
That is precisely what the Municipal Hotel has tried to do, bringing an old building back to life in spectacular fashion and in doing so giving the people of Liverpool somewhere else to go for a nice drink.
The fact that it isn’t all that well known means that it tends to be a bit quieter too.
The Building’s History
Liverpool is second only to London in terms of Listed buildings, so it should hardly come as a surprise that some genuinely special locations have been given a new lease of life as watering holes.
In the case of the Municipal Buildings, they were originally created by the town council in order to act as a home for the ever-growing number of administrative staff who worked there. It was a Liverpool Corporation surveyor named John Weightman who began the work in 1862, yet it was Edward Robert Robson who finished it in 1868. It operated as such for more than 100 years.
Historic Municipal Building, Dale Street Liverpool 📸
— FrankHerbertIYKYH (@iykyhfrankherbert.bsky.social) Dec 4, 2024 at 12:03
In the January of 2016, however, having been deemed ‘surplus to requirements’ by Liverpool City Council, it was announced that Fragrance Group, a Singapore-based property group, had bought the building with the aim of turning it into a hotel. There were more than 600 council staff still working in the building at the time, all of whom were moved on to other offices located within the city.
It took another four years before building work actually began on the Municipal Buildings, the cost of which amounted to more than £80 million when the acquisition costs were included.
The New-Look Hotel
The work carried out on the Municipal Buildings allowed it to be turned from what was previously a place of work into a four-star hotel. As well as 179 guest rooms, the location also includes meeting and conference facilities as well as a spa complex. This was placed in a bronze-clad new-build extension at the rear of the hotel, promising a pool in addition to treatment rooms and a gym.
The building itself is based over 17,000 square metres of space, constructed of sandstone and with a granite plinth that is rock-faced. There is a French-style curved roof as well as a clock tower.
@eco.viewfinder Thoroughly enjoyed last weeks exclusive tour of the brand new @themunicipalhotelliverpool with @Heritage Open Days The building was originally built in the 1860’s and has been transformed from City Council offices into a luxurious 5* hotel. Crafted in 1868, this architectural gem fuses French and Italian elements, showcasing 18 sandstone figures that depict Liverpool’s arts, sciences, and industries. But the real standout? The iconic clock tower, meticulously restored to its former glory, gracing Liverpool’s skyline! ■ Would you like to go? 👤 TAG someone you’d stay here with! Follow @the.eco.viewfinder for more travel goodness 💚 #LiverpoolLandmark #TimelessBeauty #ArchitectureLovers #LiverpoolHistory #ArchitecturalGem #TimelessJourney ♬ Do not disturb – hillelerlbaum
Most of that is how it looked originally, of course, but it is good to see that the rebuild has kept most of the features in place. In fact, the company responsible for the remodelling, Russell WBHO, said that their aim from the beginning was to ensure that the features would be restored where necessary and protected where possible.
The fact that there are the likes of friezes and marble fireplaces throughout as well as tile dados in place meant that the company had a lot to work with when trying to bring new life to a building that has stood in place for more than 100 years.
The Bar Area
Most people who live or work in Liverpool will have no need to head to the Municipal Hotel for a place to stay, save those that have been kicked out by their significant other for one reason or another. That doesn’t mean that it isn’t worth you spending some time there, however.
Downstairs, before you get to the meeting rooms and conference areas, there is a beautiful bar area that might just be one of Liverpool’s best-kept secrets. The Palm Court Bar is located in the central atrium and is where you will want to head to if you fancy an afternoon tea in luxurious surroundings.
If you fancy somewhere a little more booze-based, however, then you need not worry; the Palm Court becomes a cocktail bar in the evening. It maintains its style, allowing guests to sit in plush seating whilst the servers come up and take orders before bringing you your drink once it’s been made.
The cocktail menu contains all of the old favourites that you’d expect as well as more than a few new offerings, meaning that people can enjoy a drink in one of the nicest locations in a city filled with nice locations. If you think you know everything that Liverpool has to offer, the Municipal Hotel might just take you by surprise.
