Cooper’s Buildings

In the heart of Liverpool’s thriving retail and leisure district, Cooper’s Buildings commands a prime position on Church Street — one of the city’s busiest pedestrianised thoroughfares — steps from Liverpool ONE and just a 13-minute walk from Lime Street Station.

With planning permission secured, this landmark redevelopment will reposition the upper levels of this historic property into a high-quality hospitality facility. Floors three to six will become 148 contemporary Apart hotel rooms, while a recessed seventh-floor extension will introduce additional hospitality space without compromising the building’s heritage character or surrounding skyline. With a modern rooftop Bar/Restaurant space providing 360 degrees view of prime Liverpool City Centre.

Background

Designed in 1914 by Gerald de Courcy Fraser, Cooper’s Buildings is a Grade II listed landmark with a distinctive sandstone façade, square tower with Mannerist detailing, and an iconic arched entrance onto Church Street.

The building sits within a conservation area surrounded by Liverpool’s most recognisable heritage sites, including:

Bluecoat Chambers on School Lane
Liverpool Anglican Cathedral
St. George’s Hall and Liverpool Town Hall

The lower three floors are currently occupied by River Island, one of the city’s busiest retail anchors, while the upper floors — previously offices — have been vacant since 2014. This project marks the first major redevelopment of these floors in decades, unlocking significant revenue potential in one of Liverpool’s highest-footfall locations.

Internally, Cooper’s Buildings retains period architectural features that enhance its value and guest appeal, including mosaic tiled floors, coffered ceilings, ornate cornices, glazed wall tiles, and timber block flooring. Previous works have already addressed major capital repairs, including a new roof covering, façade restoration, structural reinforcements, window replacements, and internal strip-outs — ensuring a strong foundation for the hospitality conversion.

Scope of Work

Development consultancy & feasibility analysis

Planning advisory & application management

Architectural coordination

Technical due diligence

Project delivery oversight

Forecast Outcome

Upon completion, the redeveloped Cooper’s Buildings will feature:

160 premium hotel rooms over floors three to seven
A contemporary restaurant serving guests, residents, and the public
Generous communal and circulation spaces to enhance guest experience

New lift installations providing seamless access to all floors

The scheme will deliver approximately 4,456 sqm of gross internal floor area, including:

Hotel Rooms: 2,910 sqm
Restaurant: 282 sqm
Communal Spaces: 805 sqm

By combining heritage-led design with modern hospitality functionality, Cooper’s Buildings is set to become a flagship example of adaptive reuse in Liverpool — offering investors a rare opportunity in a market with high tourist demand, strong occupancy rates, and a premium city centre location.