Starboard Hotels Acquires New Site in Liverpool for its Growing “Luxury” Hostel Brand
November 20, 2012
On behalf of Quintain, Davis Coffer Lyons and joint agent Ockleston Bailey have completed the sale of the former Kansas Buildings, 50/54 Stanley Street in Liverpools Cavern Quarter, to Starboard Hotels.
Operating under the banner of Evolution Liverpool LLP, Starboard Hotels will trade the seven-storey, 21,550 sq ft property, which was in former use as retail premises. Starboard gained planning consent to create a 240-bed hostel, which will also include a restaurant and bar on the lower and upper ground floors.
Launched in 2006, Starboard Hotels already operates hotels under the banner of established industry chains including Holiday Inn Express and Days Inn. The Kansas Buildings will become the second location for Starboards Smart City tourist backpacker hostel brand with five-star hostel management, when it opens in the first quarter of 2013.
Kate Taylor, Associate Director at Davis Coffer Lyons, said, Starboard Hotels has already carved out a niche for purchasing distressed commercial assets and implementing a change-of-use redevelopment through the acquisition, planning and construction stages. This is an excellent site in which to ramp up its expansion, given its great positioning within Liverpool city centre opposite the Met Quarter retail scheme and close to Liverpool One shopping centre.
Already trading in Edinburgh, the companys hostel in Liverpool will offer en suite dorms, high levels of guest amenities and a fully licensed food and beverage operation for guests and non-residents. The company also has plans to open a site in central London in 2013.
Starboard Hotels has expressed an ongoing remit to actively look for expansion opportunities at both the entry level hotel market and also the growing luxury hostel market.
