Albion House, former headquarters of the White Star Line is to be converted into a luxury Titanic themed Hotel.

The distinctive brick and Portland Stone office building, from which Bruce Ismay ran his shipping empire has lain abandoned for years but retains many original features including distinctive ironwork and a mosaic floor.

The White Star Line had its head office at Albion House but it will now welcome visitors and holidaymakers in a setting that will echo some of the White Star Line's famous ocean liners, in particular the ill-fated RMS Titanic.

Albion House, designed by Richard Norman Shaw and J. Francis Doyle, was built for the Ismay, Imrie and Company shipping company (White Star Line's parent company) from 1896 to 1898. The building, known locally as the streaky bacon building because of its distinctive appearance, is grade II listed. The building bears striking similarities to the original New Scotland Yard building in London designed by the same architects in 1887.

When the Titanic sank in 1912 relatives of passengers and the many crew who originated in Liverpool assembled outside and awaited news of their loved ones.

The new hotel will have up to 350 rooms and will also feature a gym, bars and a restaurant.