October 2015

ROYAL INSURANCE BUILDING REDEVELOPMENT WINS PRESTIGIOUS BUILDING OF THE YEAR AWARD

Aloft Liverpool Hotel has been awarded the highly acclaimed NCE Building Construction Industry (BCI) award for Building Project of the Year. 

The redevelopment of the former Royal Insurance Building saw the grade two listed, 112-year-old building converted into a luxury hotel by Ashall Projects in 2014 after it had lain derelict for 20 years.

The NCE BCI Awards honour the outstanding projects of the year at an annual prize ceremony in London in front of high-profile guests from across the construction industry.

An iconic landmark in the heart of Liverpool, the former Royal Insurance Building boasts outstanding architectural and historical value and the sensitive renovation carried out on the building means it has been restored for future generations to enjoy as four-star hotel.

Mark Ashall, Director of Ashall Projects, said: “The award is testament to the hard work of the team of specialists who worked tirelessly on the Royal Insurance project.

“The transformation is stunning and the Aloft Hotel conversion shows off the best features of the building in the context of a contemporary hotel finish.

“It’s an important piece of history for Liverpool and we wanted to make sure we retained the history of the building as it moves forward into a bright new era as part of the Starwood Hotels & Resorts portfolio.”

Jon Adams, Managing Director for Northern Major Projects at Balfour Beatty, said:

“We are delighted to share this award with Ashall Projects who have been commended for their vision at a challenging time in the commercial sector. This was an exceptional project to be a part of; the transformation of the Aloft Hotel from a derelict property to a luxury hotel is truly outstanding.

“This project is a significant marker in the regeneration of Liverpool’s commercial district and we are delighted that our team has been recognised for their hard work on carrying out the £11.7m of refurbishment works.”

Dylan Jones, Director of Corporate Development at Ingenious, which arranged the financing of the development and oversees the hotel’s operation, said: “We are very proud to have been involved with this project. On a personal note, I am thrilled for Mark that the excellence with which Ashalls and Balfour Beatty have realised his longstanding vision for this magnificent building has been recognised in this way”.

Andrew Kendrick, general manager of Aloft Liverpool, said: “As the new tenants of this amazing building, we couldn’t be happier with fantastic transformation carried out by Ashall Projects and Balfour Beatty. Our guests get to enjoy the best of both worlds, with a modern and contemporary hotel containing stunning, historically significant features.”

The Royal Insurance Building, on the corner of Dale Street and North John Street in the city centre, has lain derelict for more than 20 years, and had been placed on the National Buildings at Risk Register before it was snapped up by developers Ashall Projects.