PROJECT OVERVIEW
Z'S KARAM HOTEL
Two listed buildings at 20–34 Castle Street, Liverpool — No. 20–26, a Grade II* banking hall designed by Norman Shaw (1899–1902, formerly Parr's Bank), and No. 32–34, a Grade II five-storey stone-fronted building (1890s) — united as one hybrid typology: boutique hotel, gaming hall, Comic Con sanctuary, and destination food & beverage. The concept: Hogwarts meets Alien Invasion. The Hogwarts aesthetic provides the stone vaults, circular banking hall, warm amber light. The alien invasion narrative provides neon gaming grids, LED frameworks, and esports infrastructure. All contemporary insertions are structurally independent and reversible — the historic fabric remains intact.
THE DESIGN CONCEPT
Two cultural worlds in one building. Harry Potter's Hogwarts provides the stone vaults, gothic arches, warm amber light, and the feeling of stepping into another world. The alien invasion narrative provides spaceship ceiling frameworks with LEDs, neon arcade counters, and esports infrastructure. You walk into what looks like a Great Hall that has been occupied by a spaceship. The circular banking hall with its glazed roof lantern and 'doughnut' layout becomes the docking bay. All contemporary insertions are structurally independent — they can be removed to reveal the original fabric intact.
THE BUILDING COMPOUND
No. 20–26 — Grade II* listed. Designed by Norman Shaw (1899–1902) as Parr's Bank. The banking hall features a circular 'doughnut' layout around a central void, ornate plasterwork, timber details, original fireplaces, and a central glazed roof lantern protected by a mesh gauge. Original rear staircase with cast iron balustrades and wooden handrail. This is the architectural soul of the project.
No. 32–34 — Grade II listed. Constructed in the 1890s, five storeys with stone façade, granite base, rusticated stone, and a balustrade balcony beneath a dentilled cornice. Previously occupied by NatWest Bank. Interior modernised, but the exterior remains a key conservation area contributor.
Both buildings sit within the Castle Street Conservation Area, one of Liverpool's 36 conservation areas protecting 19,000 properties.
No. 32–34 — Grade II listed. Constructed in the 1890s, five storeys with stone façade, granite base, rusticated stone, and a balustrade balcony beneath a dentilled cornice. Previously occupied by NatWest Bank. Interior modernised, but the exterior remains a key conservation area contributor.
Both buildings sit within the Castle Street Conservation Area, one of Liverpool's 36 conservation areas protecting 19,000 properties.
WHY LIVERPOOL, WHY NOW
Castle Street is central to Liverpool's commercial history, featuring landmarks like the Town Hall and former Bank of England. The area blends heritage with modern amenities — restaurants, bars, and shops — making it a key commercial and social hub. Close to Merseyrail, Kingsway Tunnel, and Queensway Tunnel, the hotel highlights the city's connectivity. Liverpool ONE's 42-acre retail and leisure district is walking distance. The hotel is inspired by Zeus Xenios — the Greek ideal of hospitality — and the Bedouin tradition of "karam" (generosity), creating a sanctuary that connects guests to Liverpool's rich cultural history.
KEY PROGRAMME FIGURES
35 bedrooms across Floors 1–4, including themed gaming rooms and standard accommodation.
170 m² lobby (Great Hall banking hall ground floor).
112 m² café (Honeydukes).
120 m² event space for Comic Con and gaming events.
154+ total spaces across 7 levels (Ground to 5th Floor).
Heritage approach: all contemporary insertions are structurally independent and reversible — they can be removed to reveal the original fabric intact. Focus on natural light, sustainability, and Equality Act 2010 compliance.
170 m² lobby (Great Hall banking hall ground floor).
112 m² café (Honeydukes).
120 m² event space for Comic Con and gaming events.
154+ total spaces across 7 levels (Ground to 5th Floor).
Heritage approach: all contemporary insertions are structurally independent and reversible — they can be removed to reveal the original fabric intact. Focus on natural light, sustainability, and Equality Act 2010 compliance.
CLIENT & ACADEMIC CONTEXT
Client: MCM Expo Group — UK Comic Con and gaming convention operator.
Academic: LJMU module 6123INT — A Gaming & Comic Con Sanctuary (2025). An experiment in AI-assisted interior architecture across RIBA Stages 0–7. The project uses a diverse suite of AI tools rigorously tested at each design stage to create a vibrant, immersive urban destination that respects Liverpool's heritage while pushing boundaries of architectural creativity.
Academic: LJMU module 6123INT — A Gaming & Comic Con Sanctuary (2025). An experiment in AI-assisted interior architecture across RIBA Stages 0–7. The project uses a diverse suite of AI tools rigorously tested at each design stage to create a vibrant, immersive urban destination that respects Liverpool's heritage while pushing boundaries of architectural creativity.
PROGRAMME — FULL FLOOR STACK
The building works as a vertical journey: maximum civic energy at street level, rising to a destination gaming lounge at the summit. Each section covers one floor — what it contains, how it works, and why.
ROOM DATABASE — ALL FLOORS
Browse the building's 154+ spaces. The default view shows the Top 10 Key Spaces — the rooms that define this project. Switch views to explore by zone, floor, or category.
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SYSTEM CODEX — 160+ TRUSTED REFERENCES
UK statutory, British Standards, building services, GCC codes, international standards, handbooks, cost data, journals, materials, and calculation tools. Every link verified to the official source.
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UK STRATEGIC COST TOOL — MONTE CARLO ENVELOPE
Feasibility engine for adaptive reuse, luxury hotel, gaming/esports, and convention projects. Set your inputs below and the tool calculates a P50/P80 cost envelope with elemental breakdown.
TOTAL CAPEX ENVELOPE
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Set inputs above
RISK RANGE (P50 / P80)
P50 —
P80 —
P50 = median outcome. P80 = conservative defensible.
SENSITIVITY (±8%)
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ELEMENTAL BREAKDOWN
RIBA MATRIX — Z'S KARAM — STAGES 0–7
Project-specific delivery matrix. Each stage maps what exists, what must be produced, and how to defend completeness under critique.
8 stages
VISUALS — LINKS + MEDIA
Direct routes to Instagram, 3D views, and the playable game.
FAQ — FOR REVIEWERS
Guidance for reviewers, tutors, and critics. Tap any question to see the answer.