The world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm has been appointed to advise on strategic options for Bliss Hotel and the adjoining Waterfront site in Southport.
CBRE believes the site offers huge potential, being situated next door to the proposed new £75million Marine Lake Events Centre.
The new facility is due to be built on the Southport Theatre and Convention site, while a new water and light show is due to be created on the Marine Lake.
The Operational Real Estate team at CBRE in Manchester has now been tasked by Waterfront Southport Properties Ltd to advise on the best options for Bliss Hotel and adjoining major development opportunity on the Waterfront, which has been vacant since Genting Casino announced the closure of its site in February 2021.
In May last year, Stand Up For Southport revealed proposals by Bliss Investment Partners, owners of Bliss Hotel, to demolish the corner building where Genting was and replace it with a mixed use ‘European Plaza’ which would connect to, and complements, the new ‘Lakeside Events Centre’.
The 4-star luxury boutique Bliss Hotel and its adjacent circa 50,000 sq ft existing leisure development scheme is located in a prime position extending onto Southport’s Waterfront. CBRE has been instructed to explore options for the hotel and development scheme which is situated next door to the proposed state-of-the-art Marine Lake Events Centre.
The new facility forms the backbone of Sefton Council’s proposed £75M regeneration plan in conjunction with the Southport Town Deal.
The ambitious plans are set to transform the resort to include all weather visitor attractions, new business incubators and a spectacular light and laser show in the Marine Lake, with wider benefits to include some 515,000 expected annual visits and 60,000 additional hotel overnight stays.
Bliss Hotel, the adjacent 50,000 sq ft building and land covers a 3.4 acre site in Southport town centre, fronting both the Promenade and the Marine Lake.
It comprises a purpose-built, award-winning hotel with 131 bedrooms and penthouses, a lounge bar, restaurant, roof garden, gym, conferencing and events spaces and secure underground car parking for 120 cars.
The hotel, which has strong trading performance and further asset management potential, has recently undergone a significant refurbishment programme to upgrade the F&B (food and beverage), public areas, meetings and events spaces and two floors of hotel bedrooms.
Directly to the south of the hotel is Marine Parade, Southport Pier and a range of leisure attractions. The wider Waterfront is anchored by numerous restaurants, bars, amusements and leisure facilities.
The adjacent development scheme offers a range of exciting conversion and redevelopment options which include potential hotel expansion, new branded hotel / aparthotel, residential, retirement / senior living, leisure, food & drink and co-working / office uses (subject to relevant consents).
Shaun Skidmore, Senior Director at CBRE Manchester said:
“We are delighted to be appointed to advise on the future of the hotel and the exciting development opportunity.
“The scheme is located in an excellent position next door to the newly proposed events centre and Waterfront development – a significant, multi-million pound regeneration scheme which will bring a host of economic benefits to the area.
“The recent upscaling to a luxury boutique has repositioned the Bliss Hotel significantly with respect to customer profile and rate, while the adjoining scheme offers an exciting opportunity for redevelopment or expansion.”
CBRE Group, headquartered in Dallas, USA, is the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm.
The company has more than 105,000 employees serving clients in more than 100 countries.
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