The first Radisson RED to open in the north of England has arrived in one of Liverpool's historic Grade II-listed buildings.
Radisson RED Liverpool has opened on Lime Street in a building that was one of the original British railway hotels in the 1800s. The building, next to Liverpool Lime Street station, was previously known as North Western Hall and dates back to 1871.
It was originally designed by Aigburth-born Alfred Waterhouse as one of the British Transport Hotels, offering direct links to the neighbouring railway station. From the 1930s, the building was largely unused except for student accommodation in the 1990s.
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Extensive renovation works have included an expert restoration of a 19th century stained glass window and grand sandstone staircase, creating a stunning entrance for guests as they arrive.
More than 792 hours were spent refurbishing the grand staircase and world-renowned polishers added the finishing touches to the 94-metre handrail. The building's unmissable turrets and spires, which are original features from the 1800s, have also been restored to enhance the hotel's grandeur.
The 10 storey hotel includes 201 guest rooms and suites, with some overlooking St George's Hall. The hotel features a modern barbecue and robata grill restaurant, Stoke , serving classic dishes with a grilled twist and boasting unrivalled views of St George's Hall and the city's cultural district.
The menu focuses on 'farm-to-fork' cuisine working with local suppliers, including an 800g 38-day dry aged and grass-fed ribeye, Dover sole with seasonal herbs, and whole roasted chicken, as well as plenty of vegetarian options such as sticky barbeque maitake mushrooms and truffle arancini.
In a nod to Liverpool's famous music scene and the Beatles, a 1960s-style scooter and sidecar, as well as a submarine sculpture are on display in the hotel. Bespoke art pieces created by Wirral-based artist Indigo Art are found in guest rooms and around the hotel, paying homage to Liverpool's best-known faces, buildings, and culture, including an iconic image of The Beatles crossing London's Abbey Road.
Additional artworks include depictions of local landmarks and hand drawn illustrations in red added to black and white photographs. Radisson RED Liverpool also features an in-house gym, meeting and event spaces, and a private dining room overlooking St George's Hall.
Tom Flanagan Karttunen, Area senior vice president, Northern & Western Europe at Radisson Hotel Group, said : " The Radisson RED brand and the city of Liverpool are the perfect match, both representing fun and vibrancy with strong links to music, art and design. The building has undergone an incredible transformation. It's one of the first buildings that visitors to the city will see when they arrive so we've worked hard to create an unforgettable experience for both locals and tourists."
Gary Waring, general manager at Radisson RED Liverpool, added: "The opening of Radisson RED Liverpool and the building's renovation have been greatly anticipated across the city for some time and we're thrilled to finally reveal the finished look.
"Liverpool is an incredibly unique place and we've worked hard to reflect this throughout the hotel, paying tribute to local icons and giving a nod to the building's rich heritage. Bringing an exciting food and drink venue to the city was also a key priority. We are looking forward to welcoming guests and creating a real must-visit destination."
You can find out more about Radisson RED Liverpool here.
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