Plans unveiled to transform the iconic Grafton nightclub into 90 apartments, blending old facade and new housing.
The Grafton opened back in 1924, starting as a ballroom and later becoming a popular nightclub. The Beatles and Duke Ellington played there. Now the club is empty and falling apart; it has been closed for quite some time.
Equans Regeneration wants to build flats there and sent their plans to the City Council in 2023. The plan includes a six-story building with about 90 apartments inside. Sovini, an affordable housing group, will manage these.
There will be 47 one-bedroom flats and 43 two-bedroom rent-to-buy flats. They plan to keep the front of the Grafton, a neo-classical design honoring its past. Other buildings on the site will be torn down.
Council officers suggest approving the plan, and the planning committee meets on March 11th to make the final decision. In a public survey, most people agreed, with six comments coming in, five in support.
One objector said it’s a piece of Liverpool history that should stay a community space. They mentioned the city has lost many historic buildings. The Grafton connects to Liverpool’s social history, and altering it would damage its history, even with the front kept.
Supporters say the Grafton is just empty now, and some like the idea of affordable flats, stating not everyone can afford new houses there. Planners said the new homes fit local and national rules, as the area needs sustainable development. The plan must follow other rules, and the benefits should outweigh any harm to the building’s heritage.