Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Birmingham Post
Birmingham Post
Business
Jon Robinson

First look revealed of how historic Liverpool landmark will look following major transformation

New CGIs have been revealed of how the historic Martins Bank building in Liverpool will look following a major transformation.

The project to restore the grade II*-listed building is being led by property investor Kinrise with work expected to be completed by 2024

Formal plans have been recently submitted to Liverpool City Council following a consultation with the authority and Historic England.

READ MORE: Click here to sign up to the BusinessLive North West newsletter

When finished, the building will house food and beverage space as well as 140,000 sq ft of offices.

The central hall is set to become a "culturally engaging, multifaceted space", featuring a café and restaurant as well as meeting, co-working and event areas.

A CGI of how the interior of the historic Martins Bank building in Liverpool will look (Kinrise)

Working with architects Red Deer and Brock Carmichael, and pre-construction advisor Lendlease, Kinrise plans to retain and restore the building's original features.

Kinrise co-founder Sam Lawson Johnston said: "We want to play a long-term role in the renewal of Liverpool and hope our renovation of Martins will act as a catalyst for change within the district.

A CGI of how the historic Martins Bank building will look after its transformation (Kinrise)

"In a time where Liverpool’s heritage status has come under international scrutiny, we hope Martins will kick-start landlords of other important buildings to begin high quality renovations of their own, avoiding further demolitions in the city, with their associated environmental damage, and keeping the great character and history of Liverpool alive.

"We are excited to see our plans for the building come to fruition and we hope its renovation and the return of public access will leave a meaningful legacy for the city for future generations."

A CGI of how the historic Martins Bank building will look after its transformation (Kinrise)

The 207,000 sq ft Martins Bank is part of Kinrise’s portfolio of ten buildings across Leeds, Manchester, London and Birmingham.

Kinrise bought the Water Street building in August 2021 which has been closed since 2009.

The landmark, next door to the town hall, was previously expected to be turned into the city's first five-star hotel - however those plans never came to fruition.

Martins was the only national UK bank to have its head office outside London.

A CGI of how the historic Martins Bank building in Liverpool will look (Kinrise)

The group traces its history back to Tudor-era financier Thomas Gresham. In 1918 it was taken over by the Bank of Liverpool, creating a national banking group that expanded across the country.

The merged group needed a grand new headquarters and in 1932 opened its grand new head office in Water Street.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.