Welcoming its first guests in 2004, Hope Street Hotel marked the beginning of a new era for hotels in Liverpool – the city centre’s first independent, privately-owned, boutique hotel.
Located in the Georgian Quarter, in the street famous for being bookended by the two cathedrals, Hope Street Hotel immediately established itself as the place to stay, and, 20 years on, remains very much a hotel of choice in a local and regional market that has become fiercely competitive.
From the start, Hope Street Hotel established a reputation for excellence. It earned a spot on Conde Nast Traveller’s list of the top 50 new hotels worldwide before it even opened its doors and has continued to win major awards and accolades for its design, offer and service.
It started with the vision and ambition of Dave Brewitt (owner and CEO), a local resident since 1981. He bought a semi-derelict Victorian warehouse on Hope Street in 2000, that for many years had been a furniture store. With his team, Dave rebuilt and refurbished the building, creating the original 48-bedroom Hope Street Hotel and 60-cover The London Carriage Works restaurant. During renovation the original name of the 1860s warehouse – The London Carriage Works – was revealed above the front door. It became the restaurant’s name in homage to the building’s history.
Hope Street Hotel has kept expanding and innovating with two major extensions in 2009 and 2021 and now includes 149 bedrooms, two restaurants, a private 39-seat cinema, nine event spaces, and a multi-award-winning spa.
The first expansion, integrating the adjacent 1970s police station, doubled the number of bedrooms and created a new front door and reception. The most recent project has extended into and built upon the adjacent 1931 Grade II-listed premises, originally The Royal School for the Blind, seamlessly combining some of Liverpool’s finest old buildings with a contemporary guest experience. A complex build, it has brought together buildings from four different eras and over four different footprints. The whole development was undertaken whilst keeping the hotel open.
Hope Street Hotel seamlessly blends city chic with the charm of the historic buildings’ original features, showcasing pink Cheshire brick, iron pillars, and pitch pine beams. The light-filled reception area includes solid oak floors and mid-century furniture. Original artworks by Liverpool artist Adrian Henri hang in The London Carriage Works and in the reception.
Dave Brewitt says: “I am immensely proud to be celebrating Hope Street Hotel’s 20th birthday. It has been an incredible team effort from the very beginning. Thanks go to everyone involved past and present – all our fabulous front and back of house staff who work tirelessly for our guests, as well as the architects, engineers and builders who have helped realise our ambitious plans.
Our thanks also go to all who choose to stay with us and enjoy all that Hope Street Hotel has to offer. We love being a firm favourite for visitors to the city.
We look forward to welcoming new and returning guests for the next 20 years and beyond – providing impeccable service in beautiful spaces, as part of the very best that Liverpool has to offer.”
To mark its 20th anniversary, Hope Street Hotel will be announcing a series of special promotions which will run throughout the year including a special spa and stay package and a 20th birthday cocktail that will run all year changing with the seasons. Keep an eye on the hotel’s social media pages for all the latest news.
