Liverpool’s iconic waterfront landmark the Royal Liver Building is on the market for the first time in its 105-year history with a guide price of over £40m.
CBRE is selling the Grade I-listed structure on behalf of the Royal London Mutual Insurance Society, who acquired it in 2011 during its takeover of the Royal Liver Group.
Designed by Walter Aubrey and built in 1911, the Royal Liver Building forms part of the city’s ‘Three Graces’ – a triplet of listed structures lining Liverpool’s UNESCO protected waterfront.
The 330,000 sq ft structure’s eclectic style draws on elements of Baroque and Byzantine design, as well as the skyscrapers that popped up in Chicago in the early 20th century. But it’s most famous feature is the two 18-ft tall copper Liver Birds which perch on its roof, watching over the city.
The Royal Liver Building has been recently refurbished and contains office and event space, meaning its new owners will have little to do.
‘I think it is highly unlikely that any change of name will come about and I strongly doubt the use will change too,’ says CBRE executive director Colin Thomasson, who is leading the sale. ‘There are 19 businesses in the building who all have leases and those leases have many years left to run.’
