Client: The ACC Liverpool Group
Location: M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
Project: VIP Suite Refurbishment and Reconfiguration
Value: £600k
Project Manager: Phil Bowers
The commercial fit-out team at Kimpton have refurbished and reconfigured 20 of the VIP suites on the top deck of the M&S Bank Arena.
As a brief overview, this work involved structural alterations throughout, as well as repositioning and extending toilets, adding new back of house bars for serving staff and the full refurbishment of the suites themselves, to include a bold new style and colour palette.
This is a big job in its own right, but we also faced the challenge of working on a live site throughout the 12 week programme. This meant incredible flexibility was required to ensure the suites remained operational throughout all of the events running during this period. As an example, while we were reconfiguring and extending the main toilets, we created and installed temporary toilet provisions for three live events, before we switched the guests back to the newly refurbished ones.
We also had to create temporary mini bars in some of the boxes with an interim work surface, sinks and all of the usual services. This kept the spaces accessible and the suites in action, throughout the upgrade.
With one particular box, we worked to a very tight two week programme between high profile events. This included a full strip out, demolition and building works as well as the full upgrade to tech and the fit out itself. Working to this tight a deadline does potentially present logistical issues, but all went to plan.
The fit out team were able to bring all of the trades to the site concurrently, as the contract included ventilation, power, water, glazing and electrical services, as well as traditional building works, to open up new spaces and close off others.
One of the boxes was being used as a back of house serving bar, which closed off one of the premium spaces. This was bought back into service by creating new back of house bars on both sides of the arena, to improve the guest experience, and increase revenue opportunities.
There are three main suite experiences as follows:
The Skyline Experience provides an upgraded shared experience with ‘wow’ moments in chic surroundings. Created to deliver extensive views of the action, with comfortable balcony seats. Suitable for smaller groups of 2 to 6 people.
The Premium Suites offer the perfect balance of comfort and style, suitable for up to 12 guests. Dressed in the textures and colours of classic art deco design, each suite provides a private space to enjoy the show in a luxury environment. With panoramic arena views.
The Premium Super Suites are the pinnacle of the M&S Bank Arena hospitality experience. Inspired by the glamour of 1920s private members’ clubs, these suites are a masterclass in art deco luxury, suitable for up to 24 guests. From walnut panelled walls to gilded finishes and rich, jewelled tones, every detail is designed to impress.
The M&S Bank Arena is the landmark multi-purpose venue located at King’s Dock in Liverpool. Opened in January 2008 as part of Liverpool’s regeneration and its year as European Capital of Culture, it’s owned by Liverpool City Council and operated as part of ACC Liverpool. With a capacity that ranges between 7,500-11,000 layouts are adaptable to be used for concerts, sports, comedy, family shows, and large events.
The Arena is part of the ACC Liverpool event campus, that works alongside the Exhibition Centre Liverpool and convention spaces to offer an extensive, interconnected event infrastructure.
The project was handled by Phil Bowers of the Commercial Fit-Out team at Kimpton and speaking about the project Phil said “This was a project that involved constant juggling of trades and some challenging deadlines, so it is great to have got it over the line on time. The refurbished suites are looking superb and will offer a genuine VIP experience for the guests.”
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