Liverpool is a city which I am hugely passionate about.

Born in Walton, I grew up in the city and love everything about it; from its vast cultural offering to its lively nightlife and everything in-between it’s a city full of life. The people of Liverpool are the friendliest in the world and as a community, we have so much to shout about. From the hundreds of events which take place each year to our world-class education institutes and our standing as a leading tourist destination, I’m very proud of how far we’ve come and where we are going.

I’ve selected a handful of articles which really capture the essence of Liverpool. From historical articles to the rise of Signature Living, these articles are a small selection of the best which have been published by the team at Signature Living HQ.

19 Albert Dock Photos Through the Years

19 Albert Dock Photos Throughout the Years was an article which truly took us back in time.

The Albert Dock was opened in 1846 and was the first British structure to be made from cast iron, brick and stone and was revolutionary to the shipping industry in the city. The docking system at the Albert Dock was unable to accommodate the large steam-powered iron ships which couldn’t fit through the tight entrance which was built for the narrower sailing ships.

As time went on it became apparent that the dock hadn’t prepared for the rapid development of shipping technology and after over 74 years trading, the Albert Dock ceased all commercial activity.

It wasn’t until the mid-1960s that the dock became completely unprofitable and slowly but surely became unused and derelict. Sadly, in 1972, the dock finally closed its doors and remained abandoned until 1983 when it was given a new lease of life in a regeneration project which saw the Albert Dock opened by Prince Charles in 1988.

The docks went from strength to strength and is now an integral part of our city being a cultural landmark and tourist destination. Our 30 James Street Hotel is a stone’s throw away from the Albert Dock and from a number of our rooms you can see the docks and even the ships coming in.

Albert Dock-1885

The History of Liverpool’s Chinatown

The History of Liverpool’s Chinatown was another article which really caught a lot of people’s attention.

From its origins, which are linked to the Albert Dock and the city’s connections to Shanghai and Hong Kong to its new development which is currently under construction.

Chinese seamen came to Liverpool in the 1840’s and settled in Liverpool whilst on leave. Over time, they built up their own community opening restaurants, shops and boarding houses around Cleveland Square, Pitt Street and Frederick Street.

The seamen were well liked by the locals and many Liverpudlian women married the seamen, they were seen as respectable men who took care of their wives & children, worked hard and were faithful.

During World War II, many parts of Liverpool were bombed including the areas around Chinatown, so following the Blitz and the end of WWI, the Chinese community began to settle around Nelson Street, Upper Parliament Street and Berry Street which is where the Chinese community resides now.

Liverpool is home to the oldest Chinese community in Europe and the arch, which is located on Nelson Street, is the largest outside of China standing at a huge 15 metres tall and features 200 handcrafted dragons.

Current development is underway on Tribeca Fields, George Street where ‘new Chinatown’ will be situated. It aims to bring the Chinese community together again and transform the area with a stunning new residential and business premises.

 25 Reasons Liverpool Will Make You Smile

Liverpool is an incredible city and this article, 25 Reasons Liverpool Will Make You Smile really captured that.

From our incredible landmarks to events which are upcoming, Liverpool is definitely the second city.

We are home to some of the UK’s best venues and events for a wide range of people. So whether you love raving on a Saturday night in Arts Club or eating & drinking your way through the weekend at Sefton Park there is a whole host of things going on in the city each and every week.

Liverpool was recently named the fourth top destination in the UK for overseas travellers and we couldn’t agree more. From our rich heritage and historical offering to our passion for sport and world-class nightlife there is never a dull moment in our city of Liverpool.

Events which are taking place this year include; the Liverpool International Music Festival, Africa Oyé, Liverpool Light Night and the Liverpool Food & Drink Festival. Each of these events brings a whole host of people from all over the world who are welcomed with open arms by the people of Liverpool.

As a city we have so much to offer and really should be proud of our continued growth which is putting Liverpool firmly back on the map.

Liverpool Light Night

The Rise of Signature Living

Over the past eight years Signature Living have revolutionised the hotel industry in Liverpool.

From owning one apartment on Victoria Street to having developments across the UK and Europe, our growth has been monumental.

In 2008, myself and my wife Katie Kenwright started Signature Living with no experience of the industry, only experience from a guest’s point of view. It was a slow start and we didn’t get everything right but we did have passion and the determination to do things differently.

We acquired the rest of the Victoria Street block and decided to put 15 beds in one room and this was a huge game changer for not only us but for the city of Liverpool.

The larger rooms were booked out six months in advance so when we bought more apartments across the city centre, we decided to really focus on large group accommodation.

With three apartment locations, three hotels, two bars & restaurants and a luxury spa we’ve come a long way from owning a single apartment.

The future is very exciting for Signature Living and this story which is on our Signature Living website really tells an honest story of how far we’ve come. We are in the process of developing a number of stunning properties in Liverpool, Cardiff and even Marbella which will be our first venture out of the UK.

The Echo also wrote an article ‘How Signature Living’s Lawrence Kenwright went from rags to riches- twice’ which again tells my story from my perspective.

32 Photos to Show How Liverpool Has Changed

Everyone loves nostalgia and taking a step back in time so the article, 32 Photos to Show How Liverpool Has Changed, was a great piece which captured the imagination of many.

Liverpool is a city which has defied all odds to come out on top and today we’re a thriving city which boasts an incredible tourism industry, world-class universities and we’re a growing business hub in the north.

This article highlights how far we have come and how some of our most famous landmarks have stood the test of time. One of the earliest shots of Liverpool is featured within this article and in a photograph of the waterfront from all the way back in 1160. Our waterfront and skyline is an iconic part of our city and shows the progressions we’ve made including the Three Graces, Anglican and Metropolitan Cathedrals and the Radio City Tower.

Another then and now photo within the article is from the construction of the Anglican Cathedral which proudly sits on St James Mount, overlooking the river and city of Liverpool. The photo shows the construction in 1906 and how it stands today in 2016, where it continues to be a beacon of community and a hope for the people of Liverpool and its visitors.

This article is a real testament to the people of Liverpool and glad so many locals and people from around the country and world also took interest in our rich history and heritage. This is something I try to embody in the hotels I create. With 30 James Street, it’s about the history of the White Star Line and its influence on the city and with the Shankly Hotel I wanted to focus on Bill Shankly and his overwhelming contribution to the city of Liverpool and football.

18 Reasons Why Scousers are the Best People in the World

Now, I may be biased being a Scouser myself, but this is an article one which sticks out in my mind.

18 Reasons Why Scousers are the Best People in the World is a great article which showcases some incredible people from our great city. It highlights the kind, courageous and dedicated people of Liverpool who go out of their way to help others, challenge conventions and pave the way.

One person who stands out for me is the Cycling Scouser who journeyed 10,000 on bike from Shanghai to Liverpool over five months, all for the Anthony Nolan Trust. Andrew Rogerson managed to raise an incredible £22,000 for the charity and this is such a testament to the people of Liverpool.

This article also highlighted our determination and fight following the Hillsborough disaster.

As a city, we never stopped fighting for the truth and for justice to be served, we stood behind the victims’ friends and families and never gave up to ensure that justice will be done and in 2016, families and the city finally got the justice they deserved.

Other reasons why we’re the best people in the world include; because we’re a city of heroes, we celebrate our history, we’re one big community and we’re happy to dance with strangers, now who can argue with that.

16 Historic Liverpool Moments Captured on Camera

Liverpool is a city rich in history, heritage and culture.

We’re extremely proud and we love to shout about our history, knowing it defines our city’s culture. The article 16 Historic Liverpool Moments Captured on Camera showcases some of our most significant moments, both good and bad.

From early photographs in 1941 showing men lining up outside St George’s Hall to sign up to fight in WWI, to the evacuation of thousands of children during WWII and the Toxteth Riots in the early 1980’s, we’ve been through a lot.

Another significant moment in our history is the Hillsborough Disaster, which took place on 15th April 1989. During an FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forrest, a human crush occurred which claimed 96 innocent lives and injured 766 more.

It took 27 years for the friends, family and city of Liverpool to finally get the truth and for justice to be served. The photograph was taken on the 25th anniversary of the day with scarves donated by fans, were placed on empty seats to commemorate those who lost their lives on that fatal day. Hillsborough is an event which many of us hold close to our heart and within The Shankly Hotel, we’ve created a dedicated memorial wall with 96 candles which are always lit.

Liverpool is a pioneering and incredible city and I’m sure that we will continue to make history as the years go by.

The Transformation of 30 James Street

30 James Street was our first restoration project and it was a million miles away from what we’d previously developed.

Constructed between 1896 and 1898 by famed architects Richard Normal Shaw and J. Francis Doyle, Albion House became home to the most famous shipping company in the world.

The White Star Line Shipping Company were behind the ill-fated RMS Titanic which crashed into an iceberg and sunk killing 1,500 passengers and crew members on her maiden voyage. This was the first of many misfortunate events which eventually led to the merger with Cunard Line and subsequently when Albion House became derelict.

30 James Street is a building filled with heritage and history and we really wanted to restore it back to its former glory and ensure it was a once again an iconic building in the city which the people could appreciate. The article The Transformation of 30 James Street features some photos of when we first went into the building and how we developed it.

We transformed the Grade II* listed building into a luxury hotel which celebrates everything about the White Star Line, RMS Titanic and RMS Carpathia which rescued the 705 surviving passengers from the ill-fated ship. The hotel furthermore celebrates individuals who were on the ship including passengers, crew and even the captain.

The White Star Grand Hall is an integral part of 30 James Street. Having once been home to the first class ticking office we wanted to convey this grandeur and luxury both in the hall and throughout the hotel. When we first arrived, the hall had been used as offices and the magnificent ceiling covered up with plasterboard. This is one of the first things we did, stripped it back to its brilliance and exposed the stunning pillars which line the room.

Today, the White Star Grand Hall plays host to some incredible events and weddings and I’m extremely proud that we have been able to bring Albion House back to life.

The Ultimate Signature Living Apartments

Here at Signature Living, we’re renowned for creating the ultimate party apartments and doing things a little differently.

With city centre locations, suites big enough for groups of up to 30 guests and amenities which will blow you away, we’re proud that no one does accommodation like us and this is highlighted in the article, The Ultimiate Signature Living Apartments.

We’ve come a long way since opening out first party apartments on Victoria Street in 2008 and our party rooms are now famed for playing host to the most memorable parties and weekends away.

Following the opening of The Shankly Hotel on Victoria Street, we unlocked the 4th floor where the ultimate Signature Living apartments would live.

The floor, which is known as Wonderland is filled with the most unique and daring rooms we have ever created. From spirit and champagne themed rooms such as Laurent Perrier, Smirnoff and Haig to Wonderland themed rooms such as Wardrobe, Library and Church, these new rooms are the most magical we’ve ever created.

The stand out room, I believe is the Laurent Perrier Pool Room. With 12 double beds across two floors sleeping 24, a private bar, private wet rooms for each bed and a magnificent roman jacuzzi bath running throughout the entirety of the room, this is a suite like no other and one of our best creations.

Our apartments and hotels have become tourist destinations in themselves, offering luxury accommodation which is fun, quirky and truly unique. If you’d like to book into one of our spectacular new apartments, please call our sales team directly on 0151 601 8801 or email info@signatureliving.co.uk.

Reasons to Get Excited About the Garden of Eden

Reasons to Get Excited About the Garden of Eden is a hugely exciting article as it showcases some of the amazing things we have planned for our new event space.

Situated above The Shankly Hotel, The Garden of Eden is the most magical rooftop space in Liverpool boasting spectacular unencumbered views of the city and state of the art facilities.

With the Garden of Eden, we wanted to create a major events venue which is nothing short of magical. The first phase of the development is completed and we recently hosted our exclusive launch party which took a wonderland themed and welcomed a whole host of celebrities.

There have been a number of weddings hosted at The Garden of Eden and we’re really looking forward to continuing the development and completing the next phase of this stunning rooftop venue. We have recently released updated CGI photos of how the second phase of the Garden of Eden will look which includes outdoor hot tubs and The Serpent, a 100ft slide which runs down the side of the building of which money will go towards charity.

Liverpool is a city which is ever evolving and I’m so excited that Signature Living is a part of it. We’re behind some of the city’s most exciting developments and there are no signs of us slowing down. I’m really excited for not only the future of Signature but also the future of Liverpool.