New plans for George Henry Lee building in Liverpool

The George Henry Lee building in Liverpool is set for a new beginning under fresh ownership. This iconic site was granted planning permission in 2023 to be developed into a hotel and casino. The plans, estimated to cost £25 million, faced uncertainty in 2024 when the original developer, Landlab Developments Ltd, encountered financial trouble. The historic building, once a grand department store, fell into disrepair over the years due to various renovations and demolitions. The approved project includes a 175-bed hotel, a games bar, sports bar, karaoke booths, cinema screens, and a gym spread over nine floors. Construction of the hotel was expected to create around 200 jobs. In May 2024, Landlab went into receivership, a situation where its assets were managed by an insolvency professional to help recover debts. The receivership ended in December 2024 when AssetStone, a London-based lender, took control of Landlab and its assets, including the George Henry Lee building. Now, AssetStone is committed to managing the site and ensuring its future. Richard Symonds, CEO of AssetStone, emphasized the building's significance to Liverpool and the company’s dedication to working with the city to prevent any further stalled projects. The George Henry Lee building has a long history, opening its first shop in 1853. It was a prominent department store until it was rebranded under John Lewis in 2002. The last operator of the original part, Rapid Hardware, closed in 2017. As part of the planned redevelopment, AssetStone announced that a shoe store will open on the ground floor, with the opening date to be revealed soon. The hope is that the site will be rejuvenated, restoring its importance to Liverpool’s city centre.