Scottish Mutual building confirmed for George Best hotel

GB-based Signature Living has confirmed that it will build its promises George Best-themed hotel in the former Scottish Mutual Building in Belfast city centre.

The company purchased the building recently from its former owners, the Hill family – proprietors of the Galgorm Resort & Spa at Ballymena. They had intended to create a luxury boutique hotel on the site.

Since then, Signature Living has advertised investment opportunities at the site, with available packages starting at £80,000. It initially referred to plans to develop the building as the ‘Baronial Hotel’, but has now confirmed the venue will be home to its promised George Best-themed development.

Signature Living has already opened a hotel in Liverpool themed around the life of Bill Shankly, the former Scottish football player best known for his time in charge of the city side.

An agreement to develop the Belfast hotel has been signed with the George Best Company, owned by George’s sister and brother-in-law Barbara and Norman McNarry. US-based sports and talent management company, IMG, acted for the Best family in the negotiations.

“We are thrilled to support this exciting project knowing that George would have loved to see his name immortalised in a hotel where he would have also enjoyed staying,” said Barbara McNarry recently. “We look forward to showcasing some special memorabilia, hosting charity events and giving people from around the world a ‘Georgie’ inspired taste of our hometown.”

Signature Living was founded by Lawrence Kenwright in 2008. As well as the Shankly hotel, it has also developed the 30 James Street hotel in Liverpool – that site is the former headquarters of the White Star Line, owners of RMS Titanic.

“Signature Living is incredibly excited to be working with Barbara and Norman McNarry on bringing the George Best Hotel to Belfast,” Mr Kenwright said this week. “George Best’s story is legendary, and we look forward to celebrating his journey at this new hotel development in his hometown.

“The award-winning Shankly Hotel is now an international tourist attraction and our ambition is to replicate this success at the George Best Hotel in Belfast.”

Signature Living, which has already acquired the historic Crumlin Road courthouse building in Belfast, has previously said that it will invest £15m to develop a hotel on the Scottish Mutual site.

Matthew Primack, senior vice-president, IMG Licensing said of the deal: “It is IMG’s privilege to bring together the estate of George Best and Signature Living to realise a vision that will honour George and also offer Belfast’s visitors a very special destination associated with its very own ‘Belfast Boy’. Not only will the hotel DNA be born of stories from George’s life, it will also help further cement the brand legacy for the future.”