Opened in 1871 as the North Western Hotel, it more recently served as office space and student accommodation.

In 1994 the building was bought by John Moores University and, at a cost of £6 million, was converted into a hall of residence for students, opening in 1996.

[3] It was announced on 28 September 2018 that the building would be restored as a hotel by the Marcus Worthington Group at a cost of £30m.

[7] The building is constructed in stone with a slate roof in the Renaissance Revival style resembling a French château.

[1] Media related to Great North Western Hotel at Wikimedia Commons