It was built in 1883 to a design by F & G Holme as the base for the Conservative Club.

It was intended that the building would be linked with two other properties on St Thomas Street and turned into Liverpool's first 5-star hotel, known as the Layla.

Initially planned for opening in 2006, the project was delayed and the investors, Illiad, sold their shares in the development to a Dubai-based consortium in July 2012.

[3] The building is three storeys tall with a basement and an attic and is built from stone with a slate mansard roof.

The exterior is partially surrounded with balustrades and there is a balcony on the first floor of the building.