City landmark building sold for £60m

Princes has been in the building more than 40 years

A landmark described as the "most recognisable office building in the North of England" has been bought for £60m.

Liverpool's Grade I-listed Royal Liver Building has been bought by food giant Princes, which has been based in the building since 1982 and employs 400 staff there.

The company plans to make the building its corporate headquarters and also use it for events.

The Liver Building, opened in 1911, is topped by the city's famous Liver Birds and was previously partly owned by former Everton FC owner Fahad Moshiri.

The £60m deal is part of a broader £83m real estate plan that also includes the Cross Geen facility in Leeds £23m, a company spokeswoman said.

Simon Harrison, Chief Executive Officer of Princes, said: "Securing the Royal Liver Building reflects our commitment to this great city, our people, and sustainable success.

"The Royal Liver Building is an enduring symbol of Liverpool, and it's an honour for Princes to call it our home."

Princes traces its Liverpool roots back to 1880 when Simpson & Roberts & Co was established as an importer of canned food.

In 1900 the business adopted the name Princes and the brand has been unchanged ever since.

Batman's leap

The Pier Head building is one of the city's renowned Three Graces, along with the neighbouring Cunard and Port of Liverpool buildings.

It has been a backdrop for many TV and film productions and was used as building in Gotham City in the superhero blockbuster The Batman.

The film's production designer James Chinlund said the building "offered this amazing perch" for Batman's jump and an aerial shot, captured using a helicopter, was then heavily altered to turn Liverpool's waterfront into the Gotham cityscape.

In June 2020, firefighters had to bring a blaze in the building under control after a firework was thrown at it while fans celebrated Liverpool winning the Premier League.