St Helens businessman aims to build Tower of Hope in Southport

Andrew Mikhail, of The Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group, wants to create The Tower of Hope, which will sit on Lord Street.

It is set to be one of the tallest buildings outside of London.

Mr Mikhail, who owns the Eccleston Arms in St Helens, survived Covid last year after four months in intensive care with the disease.

He wants it to be built as a symbol for every single member of the NHS that helped the country through the pandemic.

He also hopes the new feature on the coastline will drive many new jobs and attract visitors from far and wide.

What the plans involve

In July this year it was reported that one of Southport’s most iconic landmarks, The Grand, a grade II listed property, sitting on Lord Street was set to be brought back to its former grand status by his company, The Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group.

With work having already started on phase one, the plans for the site have escalated with the aim of complementing the grand look of the art-modern design of the former Grand Casino.

The tower will aim to stand 48 stories high at 178 Metres tall and will house more than 140 high-quality 1, 2 and 3-bedroom residential apartments.

It will also feature a restaurant, 109 hotel rooms, a wedding venue and a fun-themed bar.

Plans also include a health and wellbeing centre for the local community, including a gym and spa and green spaces for exercise and community activities.

The tower would be one of the North's tallest buildings

What Mr Mikhail is saying

Andrew Mikhail, chairman of Mikhail Hotel & Leisure Group, said: “I understand if we all get this off the ground it will be the single biggest project that will have come to Southport since anyone can remember.

"New York City started with a single brick once upon a time as did London and every major city and town, we need to cherish our past and we should be building our own future so other generations can bask in our glory rather keep talking and referring to our past continuously.

"A great philosopher once said 'The secret of change is to focus all your energy on not fighting the old but on building the new'.

“In the early part of 2021 I, like many others, contracted Covid 19, causing me to spend over four months in intensive care, not expecting to survive."

Mr Mikhail, a big supporter of the Steve Prescott Foundation, added: "I was one of the lucky ones who did survive, thanks to the hope and faith of those closest to me including my family, friends and the incredible nurses and doctors.

"Their support was relentless, refusing to give up on me.

"Hope and sheer determination got me through and has given me a second chance at life, for which I am sincerely grateful.

"The Tower of Hope will be built as a symbol for every single member of the NHS that helped the country stay on its feet and those that have tragically died and families that have sadly lost loved ones in this shocking pandemic where so many people and businesses have been at the point in life where the only thing left for them is hope and prayers.

How the tower could look

“I want this to be a true sign that we shouldn’t give up and that better things will come, I hope that people will look up, see the Tower of Hope and realise, that anything is possible.

"Sometimes taking a few steps back, will actually move you ahead much further and faster.

"It allows you to reassess, clear your mind, and catch your breath for the big plans about to unfold for you.

"The plans for this landmark building incorporating The Grand Casino will connect the past, present and future of Southport together.

"My aim is to build phase 1 and the hotel then any profits proceeding the sales of apartments will ALL go to a charity or charities of the local people’s choice."

Plans and further details about the project will be available to view at an event at The Bold Hotel on a date to be announced soon.