iStay founder and leading city entrepreneur announces major new city centre location

Having already enjoyed a busy trading year, Ann Chambers, founder and CEO of iStay Liverpool, is preparing her award-winning business for expansion as she announces a new iStay apart-hotel site in the Castle Street area of Liverpool City Centre.

Having created a formidable presence in the hotel and leisure industry in Liverpool, Ann has built a growing portfolio of luxury apart-hotels across key locations including Temple Court, Water Street, Duke Street, Bold Street, Rodney Street and the recently launched Harrisons Aparthotel on Victoria Street. In iStay Liverpool, Ann has spearheaded a business which has placed its own unique stamp on the city’s hotel and leisure and industry. 

Sitting within the Castle Street Conservation area, iStay Liverpool’s newest development, 17-21 Castle Street, will be based in a 5-storey, Grade II listed building, adding a new spin within the zone’s commercial hub, whilst respecting its rich mix of heritage and architecture.

The proposed apart-hotel, which has already attracted a multi-million pound refurbishment budget, will involve a sensitive conversion of the building to update it to iStay’s luxury accommodation standards. With a planned provision of 33 apartments, including an accessible unit within the ground floor, each will contain first-rate accommodation including bathrooms and kitchen areas added to sleep provisions, contemporary decor which respects listed features, as well as an included lobby, lounge, and boutique working area on the ground floor of the building. This grand entrance will include a dedicated food and beverage area.

Ann is a well-known and respected leading light for self-starters in the region, having recently celebrated winning the hotly contested Chair Award at the City of Liverpool Business Awards 2022. Earlier this year, in March, Ann won her first major award when she was named Newcomer of the Year 2022 in a highly competitive category packed with some of the area’s most talented female achievers, at the The Downtown in Business Women in Business Awards 2022. The awards acknowledge the finest female-led businesses, the established and up-and-coming entrepreneurs, and the women who make the most valuable contributions to the growth of the Liverpool City Region economy.

On this latest Castle Street development, Ann said:

“iStay Liverpool is building on its success in the city and this new development in Castle Street is a major investment for us, and one which was impossible for us to pass up, as this is such an iconic building, whose value has been transferred at an undisclosed fee.

The site itself is visually stunning and culturally and architecturally significant: it has been a vital part of planning to ensure that its exterior and internal features are maintained, such as original staircases, the grand opening doors, and external facade elements which make this site unique.

In terms of its use as a new development for us at iStay Liverpool, we will be utilising our experiences so far to ensure that this new site sets a business benchmark for us. Apart-hotels like ours are becoming an increasingly popular choice for national and international guests, as well as local ones, for short or long stays. Castle Street is a prestigious setting close to all of the city’s major amenities and attractions, from premium shopping, to restaurants and nightlife venues, our nearby concert arena, with accommodation that gives guests more room and a homely feel than a traditional hotel setting. This site will have premium amenities, decor and extra touches which iStay are now renowned for.

I am also delighted that this Castle Street development will have a specially designed apartment for those who require accessibility – it has been a conversation that has been ongoing, and is vital for us at iStay to make provision for guests who require ground floor accommodation.

Quite simply, this new development is going to be something really special. It has come at a busy and productive time for us as a group, and for me personally, my recent successes are moving me forwards to expand, whilst always maintaining standards and consolidating on what iStay Liverpool has already achieved.”

Work will start this Summer at the new iStay development situated at 17-21 Castle Street with a multi million pound fit out and an anticipated opening date of Q2 2023.

Find out more about IStay HERE.