Old ABC cinema to become boutique hotel

[AK1]

New life for old cinema Dec 13 2006

By Deborah James, Liverpool Daily Post Staff

A SEARCH was yesterday launched for a developer to restore one of Liverpool's most cherished art deco landmarks to its former glory.

"Imaginative" bids are being invited to transform the former ABC cinema on Lime Street.

Regeneration agencies English Partnerships and Liverpool Vision say they are offering a "blank canvas" to find a new use for the Grade II listed picture-house.

Early indications from city planners are that it could be suitable for a wide variety of projects including a museum or education space, a concert or dance hall, a sporting venue, or a restaurant or bar.

It comes 18 months after a plan by Liverpool FC footballer Jamie Carragher and city businessman Paul Flanagan to turn the faded venue into a sports bar met resistance, when city leaders said they were considering it as a venue for 2008 Capital of Culture celebrations.

Last night the Liverpool Culture Company said it had decided in autumn 2005 not to take up the option, as the building was "not suitable".

English Partnerships said the problem was that national lottery funding was never secured for a dance company which wanted to use the ABC in 2008.

It means the doors are now open for any developers to put forward a fresh proposal - including City Life Projects which signed Carragher up to the sports bar idea.

[Please preview the posts so they look right before submitting cheers :PDT_Aliboronz_24: ]

[Paul D]

This annoys me this,if they had let Jamie Carragher do it "it would have been open by now"

[PhilipG]

QUOTE=Paul D;28950]This annoys me this,if they had let Jamie Carragher do it "it would have been open by now"[/QUOTE]

Was that the scheme that was turned down because they wanted to put windows in the exterior walls?
Ironically, the building was Listed because of the interior.
Naturally, the exterior should be kept as intact as possible, but I'd rather see it used again with a couple of new windows than go the way of the Futurist.

http://static.flickr.com/87/236793694_9ef7b8118a_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/97/236793693_de7969303a_o.jpg

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44435674@N00/236793694/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/87/236793694_9ef7b8118a_o.jpg" width="768" height="1040" alt="Forum-ABC_29-01-98_ 002" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44435674@N00/236793693/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/97/236793693_de7969303a_o.jpg" width="768" height="1040" alt="Forum-ABC_29-01-98_ 001" /></a>

[Paul D]

Was that the scheme that was turned down because they wanted to put windows in the exterior walls?
Ironically, the building was Listed because of the interior.
Naturally, the exterior should be kept as intact as possible, but I'd rather see it used again with a couple of new windows than go the way of the Futurist.

I think they'd have to add windows but doesn't worry them when they want to do it in the Irish centre so I can't see what the fuss was about?

[theninesisters]

Here's a mad thought....why not use it.....for a Cinema!!!

Not showing all the new films but have a showing of films gone by, things that you have only seen on a video/dvd fairly recently.

They should start showing all the Bond movies there for a start :celb (23):

[scouserdave]

Bkollos to the 2008 Capital of Culture celebrations, give it to Jamie.
Phil, fantastic pics. Thanks:PDT_Piratz_26:

[ChrisGeorge]

Great pics, PhilipG. Thanks! :PDT_Aliboronz_24:

Chris

[chelle28]

Hi there all,

I am an interior architect student and am really interested in developing either the Futurist Cinema of the ABC Forum Cinema in Liverpool. I am struggling to get plans for either of these buildings and its crucial that i have plans in order to do anything. I dont suppose anyone knows where i can obtain plans? Any help is much appreciated.

xx

[chelle28]

Hi there all,

Im an interior design student, looking to propose new ideas for either the Futurist Cinema or the ABC Cinema on Lime street. I really need to get copies of plans before i can do anything, i have tried the council but they dont have much?! and its all archived!! Can anyone help?

thanks xxx

[Cadfael]

Hi there all,

Im an interior design student, looking to propose new ideas for either the Futurist Cinema or the ABC Cinema on Lime street. I really need to get copies of plans before i can do anything, i have tried the council but they dont have much?! and its all archived!! Can anyone help?

thanks xxx

PhilG is more up on Cinema's so he may have plans himself - but if this is listed, maybe you should try either English Heritage and Central Library to see what they have to offer?

If you haven't seen inside, I can source pictures for you.

[chelle28]

thats great, i have just tried the english partnership but have left a message and waiting for them to get back to me. I know the ABC Forum is listed but the Futurist i dont think is, How do i find PhilG so i can ask him? Sorry i am all new to this.. Pictures would be great too, i want to try and gain acess but sorcing plans of either building seems the biggest hurdle at the moment.

[Cadfael]

PhilG is on the forum, he'll spot your post sooner or later - or perhaps drop him a private message.

And then drop Snappel a Private Message too. I think he's been in at some point :PDT11

[PDG]

PhilG is on the forum, he'll spot your post sooner or later - or perhaps drop him a private message.

And then drop Snappel a Private Message too. I think he's been in at some point :PDT11

Hello,

I think you may have me mistaken with PhilipG, i'm new to this forum and have no info on the ABC cinema, i would suggest trying the Library for info, they may have some, you never know.

If it's really important to the project try asking the council to un-archive the plans, ask nicely:)

[steveb]

PhilG is on the forum, he'll spot your post sooner or later - or perhaps drop him a private message.

And then drop Snappel a Private Message too. I think he's been in at some point :PDT11

beat me to it, Snappel has some interior pic,s he has a web site
called level two so may have pic,s on there.
The Futurist is wrecked inside but a search maybe of cinema treasures
may turn up info

http://cinematreasures.org/location/country=180/

[PhilipG]

Hi there all,

Im an interior design student, looking to propose new ideas for either the Futurist Cinema or the ABC Cinema on Lime street. I really need to get copies of plans before i can do anything, i have tried the council but they dont have much?! and its all archived!! Can anyone help?

thanks xxx

Hello.
Try the Council again.
The Building Surveyor's Department have plans, but I don't know if they're available to the public.
The ABC (Forum) and Seaforth Palladium are the only Listed cinemas in the Liverpool area.

[DaisyChains]

Hi there all,

I am an interior architect student and am really interested in developing either the Futurist Cinema of the ABC Forum Cinema in Liverpool. I am struggling to get plans for either of these buildings and its crucial that i have plans in order to do anything. I dont suppose anyone knows where i can obtain plans? Any help is much appreciated.

xx

Hope you get your plans.
Nice to see people still interested in these fantastic buildings

[babayaga321]

All.... there is a developer interested at the moment according to the powers that be, but I've referred the ABC site onto HRC International as a possible venue for a Liverpool Hard Rock Cafe. Simply because I find it flaming incredible that we haven't actually got one!!!! :disgust:

[Kev]

THE disused ABC cinema on Lime Street is to become a New York-style supper club and boutique hotel, it has been revealed. Read (http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2007/09/05/old-abc-cinema-to-become-boutique-hotel-64375-19739146/)

[PhilipG]

The boutique hotel is going to be on the top floor.
Presumably it'll have windows.
Not long after the ABC closed plans were refused because new windows were required.
I'd love to see the building in use again, but don't want to see it altered too much.

[kat2]

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/liverpoolpost/sep2007/2/8/D5B30F43-C975-A6E3-9A299AC5A35BAF63.jpg
THE disused ABC cinema on Lime Street is to become a New York-style supper club and boutique hotel, it has been revealed.

Regeneration agency English Partnerships has appointed award-winning property developer Urban Splash as preferred developer for the project.

More herehttp://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2007/09/05/old-abc-cinema-to-become-boutique-hotel-64375-19739146/
kat:)

[Kev]

Here (http://www.yoliverpool.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4956&page=2) Kat, I posted it yesterday :PDT10

[crabbers]

This might help.....

http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2007/09/06/urban-splash-in-picture-to-resurrect-old-abc-cinema-64375-19741626/

[miguel]

Thank goodness. Another eye-sore renovated. You see pictures of Lime Street in Edwardian England. It was awesome; better than Times Square. Lights, magic; bustling - a world hub of entertainment, life, the watering hole of the world's best. So sad to see its decline. Any old piccies anyone?

[kat2]

yes, but i posted it in the news section, if something is current news, which it was on the 5th, then i thought surly it should be "news"?
if it was old news, like my post to do with st Johns shopping then yes, i can understand that it should go into another folder.
kat
besides this is the abc
:)

[stan]

They'd better do up the rest of Lime Street then.Imagine staying at a posh hotel and looking out of your window and seeing all those manky shops.

[Cadfael]

As long as the exterior stays the same and has no extra windows or cheesy signs then it is better than nothing - but such a shame to lose the magic of the interior.

[buggedboy]

As long as the exterior stays the same and has no extra windows or cheesy signs then it is better than nothing - but such a shame to lose the magic of the interior.


I can't really see how the development as a whole will work unless there are at least some windows knocked through.

The club area could work in the darker, artifically lit style, but the hotel rooms on the upper floors would definitely need windows. The only way to retain a lack of windows would be to add a couple of floors using a recessed extension. I'd rather see a few windows than that personally.

Lime street/London Road/parts of Renshaw Street are reallt the last remaining wastelands of the city centre (apart from hte ned to infil some sites around Tithebarn St) that havent got concrete plans in place or things on site.

I'm really chuffed with the choice of developer. Urban Splash is as near to a dead cert as you can get when it comes to urban renewal schemes. They have been quietly getting on with the Great George st scheme, made great strides on the Littlewoods building, did a great job at Matchworks I and II and the Matchbox and not to forget the Tea and Vanilla Factories.

[kat2]

yes, urban splash are also busy working on the midland hotel in Morecambe an art deco building, so they certainly seem to have a good track record. I have put in another thread a report that suggests in 2009 the whole of st Johns shopping complex is up for re design, same with Clayton square.
kat
:)

[lindylou]

I'm still waiting to find out what is the meaning of a 'boutique hotel' ... ha,ha, ... I thought a boutique is a shop that sells fashionable clobber :D

[PhilipG]

It's a pity that this subject is spread over 2 threads.
Kev put it on another (scroll above) and I made my initial response to it there.
It just doesn't make sense to dilute the discussion by having it all over the place!
Ironically, at some point Kev will have to merge the two threads, because it is an important subject, and that's not fair!

[PhilipG]

It's a pity that this subject is spread over 2 threads.
Kev put it on another (scroll above) and I made my initial response to it there.
It just doesn't make sense to dilute the discussion by having it all over the place!
Ironically, at some point Kev will have to merge the two threads, because it is an important subject, and that's not fair!

Just noticed there are at least four threads with Forum/ABC in the title.
Why can't we keep them all in the one place?

[Kev]

Is it the same building?

[PhilipG]

Is it the same building?

Yes, Kev.
It was the Forum until the 1960s, then the ABC.
It was the Cannon for a few years, and then the ABC (again) until it closed.

[Paul D]

THE disused ABC cinema on Lime Street is to become a New York-style supper club and boutique hotel, it has been revealed. Read (http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2007/09/05/old-abc-cinema-to-become-boutique-hotel-64375-19739146/)


I'll be really made up if this goes ahead,I can't believe we're leaving the Lime Street area as one of the last to redevelop,it's such an important gateway.Urban Splash will do it proud though,I'm glad they're involved.

[lindylou]

I'm still waiting to find out what is the meaning of a 'boutique hotel' ... ha,ha, ... I thought a boutique is a shop that sells fashionable clobber :D


I'm answering my own post as no one else seems to know :D


I Googled it:


Boutique hotel is a term originating in North America to describe intimate, usually luxurious or quirky hotel environments. Boutique hotels differentiate themselves from larger chain/branded hotels and motels by providing an exceptional and personalized level of accommodation and services / facilities.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boutique_hotel




it must be a fairly recent way of describing a hotel here in UK 'cos I've never heard of it until the last few months. I reckon it's one of these trendy phrases that catch on every now and then.

As we all know Boutique is a French word - which means shop if my memory of schooldays is correct.

:)

[PhilipG]

Yes, "Boutique" does mean a shop, but for the Brits it came to be used for a small shop, and now it looks like the word just means "small" to some people.
Language changes all the time.
My Gran (born 1880) told me that she remembered when "Sophisticated" meant "Sarcastic".

[kat2]

I posted this thread in the news section because its current news (5th of September) anything that is current news goes into the current news section, philip, your thread was under the gues of the forum cinema? because your quoting past tense, and the last used name for that particular building was in fact the ABC, therefore, when i am dealing with items of current news, thats why this is in the current news thread. I have noticed several postings not just about subjects i have posted but other members threads are in the wrong place too, but little is said about that, such as miguel, talking about something that should be in the chat thread, and somebody else wanting to know where to catch a bus, again in the wrong thread, catching a bus, should be in discussion or chat?
at least, I am trying to post in current threads in relation to news events of a current nature. after all if something is reported in the news, and you wish to draw members attention to that, how else can this be done?
current news being just that. Old news yes, i can understand and have posted in the relevant forum threads, such as my recent dug up item on st Johns refurbishment due to start in 2009 but reported in august 2006.
but because its news thats going to unfold that cannot be classed as current news.
kat:)

[Kev]

Ive moved it to the development/ restoration section - more appropriate for this story, the Liverpool news section is for issues in the news that don't go anywhere else.

[kat2]

I wonder why you constantly pic on my threads, it was news as of the 5th of September, how sad!! And Philip posted it under the name of forum cinema! how about you pulling up some of the other posters kev, like i have pointed out ?
or do you have issues with me?
kat:disgust:

[Kev]

Kat, really, is there any need? I don't pick on my members, why would I?

The only advice I'd give to members is to do search (http://www.yoliverpool.com/forum/search.php) or keep an eye out for similar news before posting.

I've merged two threads together here and pulled in some posts from the exploration thread as I think those pictures/ views should stay separate.

[kat2]

yes, there is, i posted in the news section because i beleive if something is currently in the news then thats where it belongs, its current and news, with regard to picking on me, yes, i feel you do have an issue, but its your forum. i dont see you pulling up other members like you have done with my postings despite it being clearly the case that there have been postings by others in the wrong forums.
if your going to apply rigid rules, then lets all adhear to them, including re moving posts that belong in the chat section, or discussion, only then would i consider it to be fair.
kat
of course if you do not wish me to post here, thats fine, skyscraper dont seem to mind.:rolleyes:
ps, yes, i did a search, but the post i was applying was in the correct forum, "news" its not urban, either, its current news how can the centre of liverpool be classed as urban

[A.D.W]

of course if you do not wish me to post here, thats fine, skyscraper dont seem to mind.:rolleyes:
ps, yes, i did a search, but the post i was applying was in the correct forum, "news" its not urban, either, its current news how can the centre of liverpool be classed as urban


Hope you stay, Kat. You are a mine of information.

:PDT11

[drone_pilot]

Kat wind your neck in, i love your posts, you are a mine of great info, but Kev has a big problem deciding where things go, it's like juggling with stream, I know as I'm a admin on several sites, Militaryimages.net for example, and i know what it's like to running a site.

We are all diffrent and as such we have diffrent agenda, so Kev has to preempt what people are searching for.

please Kat dont take it to heart, please remain and continue posting

Mal:PDT_Aliboronz_11:



Ps kev whill tell you i have been on the wrong side, of the posting police on several times. DOH!

[PhilipG]

Kat, you keep using my name.
All I'm going to say is you posted the same Daily Post item AFTER Kev had posted it, so it wasn't news to me as I'd already read it.

[kat2]

Philip, my point is kev posted a current news item in the wrong section
current news is just that, it was the 5th of september, and was in the news, I wasnt aware of the fact that the two were interlinked, I live on the wirral and although, I was a resident in Liverpool for a short time, I never remember seeing that particular cinema open.
my point is this, plenty of yo members post in the wrong sections, take for example somebody asking about where to catch a bus, or Miguels post which was in the news section (or media) which wasnt news it was infact, discussion or chat, same as asking where to get a bus, thats not in the right section, and has not been corrected.
I try and be as accurate as I can with my postings, but sadly feel i am being constantly followed round with some vigor, the sad fact is, this should be applied equally or not at all? wouldnt you agree.
some posts stick out like a soar thumb, i am not sure why kev has even used the word Urban, because it actually means City, so if you take the word Urban and replace it with city, the sections dont make sense.
this is about being fair to all users, i dont go out of my way to post in the wrong section, if news is current then as far as I am concerned it goes in the news section, my st Johns post was not current news, it then went into another section.
you apply one rule for all
kat
:)

[PhilipG]

Kev posted it in a thread which was about the cinema, which seems the right place to me.
If there's news about the Paradise development it gets put in the Paradise development thread.
Likewise Albert Dock news goes in the Albert Dock thread, Princes Dock news goes in the Princes Dock thread, etc., etc.
It makes sense to me to try and keep items about the same subject together.

[kat2]

By, your accounting then there shouldnt be a need for a current news thread? and, as i have posted already, your forum posting was about the building in the 1960's? my post was taken from the current news page for that day, because as I see it , its current and its a news item.
I feel kev posted his news item in the wrong thread, it was current news, granted your postings were not current news, they were of that buildings past history, which is fair enough, my post was as the building stands today and as was reported by the news papers.
and, i repeat what i have constantly said there are other posters on here that totally post out of context, I mean, waiting for a bus, and Miguels posting in the news media section, so, if your going to apply ridgid rules to my postings which seem to be targeted often, then your discriminating.
thats fine, too, i dont have an issue with those that clearly have issues with me, but i do have the right to voice my opinion, just like anyone else.
kat:disgust:

[Cableguy]

Is that the Matchbox in Garston? When is that ever gonna be complete, it looks as though the developers have just pulled out, it's looked the same for months.

[Kev]

Obviously going off topic now but I have to respond now since its become such an issue.

This section of the forum "Liverpool Now" is organised into sections, Local News - Issues in the local news - is for the type of news you cannot put within the other sections. It should not be used for development news (especially if it exists somewhere else). That's why we have the forum organised, why am I having to make this clear?

Kat, I move posts all the time, including yours, especially if they are contributing to the overall development of the forum (which is a good thing) as a resource of information, others I might not.

You are the only one that has taken issue with this.

Lets move on.....

[Ged]

Just to add my two penneth worth before we move on.

I would say that things such as, and which are currently headlined in the local news section as:

Culture Company incompetence.....

Artwork on show for the first time.....

Girl burnt alive was polish....


Are current news items that don't fit in with a pre-discussed subject.


Local news regarding a building which has its own thread already should be discussed in that building's already existing thread otherwise if it was fragmented into other threads such as the local news one, then it would not appear in that building's own existing thread and so we would lose continuity in knowing about that building and its future use/plans etc and in these reports, sometimes news regarding the building's usage, age, architect or something may be reported which would be useful information in that particular building's own thread.

Having said that, we obviously read all new posts anyway so nothing is usually missed - I mean no one's died or anything so calm down.

:hug:

[PhilipG]

And this will be my final word. :)
Ged's put it very well, and let's remember that Kev puts in a massive amount of work on this site, and has the right idea about how it should be organised.
There is a search facility that works perfectly well.
If you can't find a suitable thread, then, by all means, start a new thread.

OK, now. Group hug! :hug:

[lindylou]

I'm answering my own post as no one else seems to know :D


I Googled it:


Boutique hotel is a term originating in North America to describe intimate, usually luxurious or quirky hotel environments. Boutique hotels differentiate themselves from larger chain/branded hotels and motels by providing an exceptional and personalized level of accommodation and services / facilities.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boutique_hotel



it must be a fairly recent way of describing a hotel here in UK 'cos I've never heard of it until the last few months. I reckon it's one of these trendy phrases that catch on every now and then.

As we all know Boutique is a French word - which means shop if my memory of schooldays is correct.

:)


Anyway! .......

the description of a 'boutique hotel' ... intimate and quirky .. sounds like a hi-falutin' way of saying a B&B or boarding house :D - -

[Ged]

I do love a bit o' pink, my missus's taste is rubbing off on me (and no, i'm not like the BB twins)

[kat2]

Philip., thats really good of you!, i did do a search, and like i have continually said, your post did not show neither did kevs, your posting was under the forum cinema, for some reason, when i did a search nothing came up. The layout of yo liverpool is entirely up to kev, hes the admin, incidentally Urban means city, (latin) so using the word doesnt make any sense anyway but, as you have right fully said its kevs forum, and his choice and, as i have also stated, you apply the rules to everyone concerned not just me. Lets see all threads in their correct forums, just like skyscrapercity does.
i see nothing wrong what so ever in applying rules to everyone, thats fair but you dont constantly pick on one individual (clearly there are one or two on here that do have issues with me, and thats fine, its a democracy.
kat:)

[Kev]

Fair enough Kat but SSC is one big development forum, there is no organisation except for thread titles.

[kat2]

wonders what goths have to do with urban districts, and how can a city be a district? and, what about that posting about where to catch a bus? doesnt sound like there or a few others are in the right threads either.
just putting my fairness thread across.
kat
i have no issues so long as things are applied equally.
:)
if there not and you wish me to leave then thats fine too, i try my best to contribute but, I also know where i am not welcome.

[Libertarian]

For what its worth I find your posts very interesting and thoughtful

[PhilipG]

For what its worth I find your posts very interesting and thoughtful

Except for when he repeats himself, and repeats himself, and repeats himself.
Kat, please, let it go.

[kat2]

he? i find your of doubling standards philip!
when was your last eye site test! *g* he indeed!
kat
not sure about the he though, hmm.....:)

[PhilipG]

he? i find your of doubling standards philip!
when was your last eye site test! *g* he indeed!
kat
not sure about the he though, hmm.....:)

You've finally changed the subject. :shock:
What a relief! :handclap:

Isn't an eye site St Paul's Hospital?
Sorry!

[kat2]

doh, stupid men, ok, sight then! perhaps you should stop listening to your guide dog !
kat:)
so,you dont wish to comment on your posting in the origional lime street thread, pages 4-5? didnt see you comment in todays posting to say theres already a thread, and how it all makes sense?
u have waaaY problems.
kat:rolleyes:

[Kev]

Forum Etiquette (http://www.yoliverpool.com/forum/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=5949) | Forum Rules (http://www.yoliverpool.com/forum/showthread.php?t=321)