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Crowne Plaza Liverpool City Centre – Image Credit IHG Hotels & Resorts
A summary of European hotel transactions provided by HVS
MCR and existing major investors to take Soho House private
American owner-operator MCR Hotels, together with a consortium of investors, have entered into binding agreements to acquire all outstanding public shares of the global membership platform Soho House that are not owned by certain significant existing shareholders, taking the company private. Current Soho House chairman Ron Burkle and his company Yucaipa will continue to retain majority control of the business. Soho House founder Nick Jones, UK billionaire Richard Caring and Goldman Sachs Alternatives will also retain the majority of their shares. Hollywood actor Ashton Kutcher is entering as another major new investor and will also join the Soho House board, with MCR founder Tyler Morse becoming deputy chairman. The transaction values Soho House at $2.7 billion, with the shares being purchased for $9 per share in cash, well below the peak share price of $14.21 that was reached a month after the group was listed on the New York Stock exchange on mid 2021. Soho House’s portfolio comprises 46 properties throughout Europe, North America and Asia.
Village Hotels buys former DoubleTree by Hilton in Sheffield from Vine Hotels
Blackstone Real Estate’s owner-operator Village Hotel Club has acquired the former four-star, 129-room DoubleTree by Hilton Sheffield Park in the UK from UK owner-operator and development firm Vine Hotels. The property is situated a 20-minute drive south of Sheffield. The hotel closed in July 2025 and is now set to undergo a multi-million pound refurbishment of all its facilities, including the addition of a Village health and wellness club, a pub and grill restaurant and an on-site Starbucks. It is expected to reopen in 2026. In January 2025, Village Hotels acquired the former four-star, 122-room Crowne Plaza Reading, which is also currently undergoing refurbishment and is expected to reopen in December 2025, as reported in this newsletter at the time.
The Ability Group sells Crowne Plaza Liverpool City Centre
British real estate investor The Ability Group Limited has reportedly sold the four-star, 159-room Crowne Plaza Liverpool City Centre by IHG to an undisclosed purchaser. The hotel is located on the banks of the River Mersey, and within walking distance of the Royal Albert Dock Liverpool, the Marks & Spencers Bank Arena and the Royal Liver Building. It features an indoor spa area with pool, whirlpool, sauna, steam room and gym, a restaurant and a lounge bar.
1912 Hotels acquires Mercure St Pauls in Sheffield, UK
1912 Hotels St Pauls Ltd, the newly established UK subsidiary of German owner-operator 1912 Hotels, has acquired the four-star, 169-room Mercure St Pauls Hotel and Spa Sheffield in the UK. The property is situated in central Sheffield opposite the Sheffield Town Hall and Peace Gardens. The hotel includes a restaurant, bar and 11 meeting rooms. It will remain open and fully operational during the takeover, and the new owners plan to introduce changes to the guest experience and design. This is the group’s first acquisition in the UK.
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