‘Home of the Titanic’ hotel sold in Liverpool

German hotelier RIMC Hotels & Resorts has acquired the former White Star Shipping Line headquarters, now a 63-bed hotel, from administrators.

The grade two-listed 30 James Street Hotel, which had been branded as the ‘home of the Titanic’, was last owned by a Signature Living SPV. Signature Living, which was founded by Lawrence Kenwright, saw its hotel division collapse in 2020. Administrators Moorfields Advisory were subsequently assigned to dispose of the hotel.

RIMC UK managing director Duncan Gray said the company was planning to put a “significant investment” into the business, which is its first property in the UK. Gray added that the investment would “create an exciting and unique offer, befitting of such a prestigious building in the fantastic city of Liverpool”.

Savills was the sales agent on the deal between Moorfields Advisory and RIMC, where Moorfields was represented by Hogan Lovells and RIMC by DWF Law. Savills did not disclose the sale price.

Savills had last marketed the property for £12.5m in 2021, a price that had not been met by August last year. This led to the hotel being taken off the market.

In addition to 63 bedrooms, 30 James Street includes a seventh-floor restaurant and champagne barn, an outdoor terrace, conference and banquet facilities, a spa, and a pool.

Tom Cunningham, hotels director at Savills, said: “We’re pleased to complete on the sale of this iconic city centre hotel. 30 James Street provides quality accommodation and desirable amenities in a standout location, and we look forward to seeing the hotel take on its next chapter.”