OFFICE space is now available to let in one of the most famous buildings in Liverpool’s retail district.
Rushworths Building, at 42/46 Whitechapel, was built in 1872 and was one of the first-ever cast iron-framed buildings to be constructed.
It was designed by HH Vale, the renowned architect responsible for the Walker Art Gallery and the former YMCA Building.
For 50 years, it was home to the famous Rushworths Music Store which became famous from the early 1960s for providing guitars and musical equipment to countless would-be rock and roll stars.
Its most famous customers were The Beatles, who purchased some of their earlier guitars from there.
At its height, Rushworth and Dreaper had branches in Liverpool, Birkenhead, Southport, Altrincham, Manchester and Chester.
Generations of pop-pickers will remember the sound-proofed booths in Rushworth’s shops, where you could listen to a record before deciding whether to buy it.
But a drop in the sale of records and musical instruments, combined with rises in the rents on their shops, led to their demise.
Now, following an extensive refurbishment, two floors of the building are available to let.
The refurbished floorspace, totalling nearly 4,000 sq ft on the third and fourth floors, has undergone complete rewiring and had suspended ceilings, category II lighting, oak laminate flooring and self-contained toilet and kitchen facilities installed.
Access to the office suites, comprising 1,820 sq ft and 2,116 sq ft, is via a passenger lift to the third floor.
Rental terms are available from £10,000 per annum.
The building is situated at the commercial core of Liverpool directly opposite the Metquarter and close to the Queen Square bus station, and is within 10 minutes’ walk of Lime Street station.
Brian Ricketts, partner at sole agents Hitchcock Wright & Partners, said: “The location of this building is at the heart of Liverpool city centre.
“Situated at the fringe of the commercial district and Liverpool’s retail district, it is ideally situated.
“The history connected with this building makes it a prestigious address for any potential occupier.”
