How to approach interventions in a century-old building to seamlessly integrate serviced apartment functions while fully respecting its historical context and maximizing the economic potential of the space?

Trueman Court Luxury Serviced Apartments is reenvisioned from a 19th-century brewery in Liverpool. During the renovation, EK Design employed an artistic approach to spatial design, striking a balance between tradition and modernity. Six distinctive apartment themes were carefully curated, creating a “home-like” retreat for travelers while ensuring the long-term operational vitality and profitability of the project.

 

#01 Design Challenge

Liverpool, a port city known for its prosperous maritime commerce and rich cultural heritage, attracts travelers worldwide, drawn by the legendary Beatles and the Premier League. The dynamic cultural fusion has imbued the city’s architecture with a timeless charm.

Liverpool Street View (Source: unsplash @Phil Kie)

A few minutes' walk from Liverpool Lime Street Station leads to the block where Trueman Court is located, away from the city’s hustle and bustle.

The historic traces of this cluster of buildings from different eras left a lasting impression on Mao Hua, the chief designer, when she first visited the site in 2018: “This is a typical traditional European building with a beautiful red brick facade. What's unique is that the entrance isn't on the roadside; it's tucked around the back, creating a very tranquil atmosphere.”

Originally built in 1849 as a brewery, the building was acquired by the client in 2018 with the vision of transforming it into luxury serviced apartments. In mid-2022, Trueman Court officially opened.

As a registered Grade II listed building, the structure constructed in the mid-19th century came with numerous preservation constraints, making renovation particularly challenging. For EK Design, a firm from China, navigating the stringent local regulations and cultural differences required adaptability to ensure the design seamlessly integrated into its local context.

 

 #02Site-specific Solutions

When EK Design joined the project, Trueman Court's overall positioning had already been established, along with its structure and functional layout. However, the space lacked the aesthetic and experiential qualities expected of serviced apartments. Recognizing this, the client invited Mao Hua and her team to reimagine the interior.

As Nathan Chan explains: "The design is everything so to speak. It is what the guests see and experience, touch and feel. This is why it’s so important to have an interior designer involved in such projects. Many seem to neglect the interior design aspect, instead opting for pure functionality and practicality alone. Fortunately, we have achieved both with the help of EK Design."

While the building itself was not large, its structural complexity—varied layouts, ceiling heights, and its historical nature—meant that large-scale modifications were not feasible. Thus, how to work within these constraints to maximize space utilization and craft a distinctive experience for each apartment became the key challenge for the design team.

What initially seemed like limitations became opportunities for creative breakthroughs. By embracing the historic red brick structure, EK Design meticulously analyzed and restructured the spatial layout, uncovering the unique potential of each apartment. With a focus on intricate detailing, the team sought to infuse the space with an artistic identity that harmonized with its heritage.

Mao Hua believes that artistic space design is not merely about displaying artwork or arranging furnishings but about treating the space itself as a piece of art—a dialogue between space and aesthetic. Through flexible and thoughtful planning, pure materials, and a refined color palette, Trueman Court becomes a sanctuary that deeply resonates with its users.

 

#03 A Journey of Time and Art

Instead of pursuing superficial luxury, EK Design prioritized guest experience and comfort, conceptualizing the space as a “time capsule” through an artistic design language. Each room is not merely a resting place but a reflection of the building’s history and the passage of time. The goal is for each guest to experience different themed rooms at varied stages of life, traveling through time, reflecting on the past, and imagining the future.

“Serviced apartments should feel like a home. That was my vision when working on this project—not the feeling of staying in someone else’s house.” Mao Hua explains. From the entrance to the living room, kitchen, and bedroom, a home-like artistic atmosphere gently unfolds throughout the space.

ROOM 01: Back to the Future

Looking forward through the lens of history, the design blends tradition with modernity. This room, as its name indicates, emerges as a fusion of the past and future. Departing from traditional interior décor, the design leverages the building’s unique characteristics, emphasizing  authentic textures of materials while incorporating furnishings from various eras. This interplay between retro and contemporary elements creates a timeless ambiance.

Expansive concrete wall panels, polished plaster, and terrazzo floorings establish a clean, light tone for the space. Silver foil and stainless steel contribute a sleek, futuristic feel, perfectly complementing the wall paintings and contemporary furnishings. These designs carefully balance the height differences between floors while avoiding the monotony of a single cool tone.

A column at the intersection of the ceiling's cross beams is preserved, painted in vibrant red and  surrounded by a circular white bookshelf, becoming a focal point of the space. From the entrance to the staircase platform and up to the sleeping area, the progression of space achieves harmony  through appropriate proportions, simple white tones, and geometric structures.

The original rectangular skylight is the only natural light source, allowing daylight to flood the space, dispelling the cramped feeling of a windowless environment and fostering a comfortable, airy atmosphere. The hollowed-out stair handrails, fences, and steps are meticulously proportioned to enhance breathability while optimizing storage capacity.

ROOM 02: Art Gallery

Classics endure the test of time, retaining their charm regardless of changing eras. Originally a meeting room, this space was reimagined with a humble approach—preserving the intricately carved ceiling and wall panels that carry the traces of time while ingeniously converting the entrance door into an artistic frame.

Given the limited space, a passage loop redefines the movement within the apartment. Geometric screens serve as partitions, connecting the living room, wardrobe, and sleeping area, thereby ensuring a clear functional layout. The interplay between a sleek ceiling and bold geometric forms creates a striking dialogue between modernity and classicism, infusing the space with an artistic ambiance.

The bed is positioned near the window, maximizing natural ventilation and daylight in the room. The minimalist cabinetry encircles a warm yellow sofa, and semi-transparent glass breaks the monotony, seamlessly integrating different functional areas.

ROOM 03: The Root

While there are no explicit Eastern elements in the space, it subtly exudes Eastern wisdom. This room embodies a fusion of Eastern philosophy and Western architecture, striking an eclectic balance between tradition and modernity.

Inspired by the Chinese "Luban Lock" puzzle, the space cleverly interlocks separate functional zones through strategic connections, achieving both integration and distinction in a natural, harmonious manner.

Perched on the top floor, this apartment underwent a significant transformation—its flat ceiling was removed, unveiling the previously concealed lofty sloped roof. By maintaining the original architectural scale and proportions, the design restores a sense of unity.

A continuous circulation extends from the kitchen counter to the corner partition, the bar, and TV wall, all clad in pristine white stone, unfolding an open and interconnected space. At the corner, a compact yet lofty alcove serves as a secondary bedroom. Segmented wooden panels form a "grid wall," playing with sunlight and cozy rattan chairs nearby, fostering a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Unlike the public areas, the bedroom adopts a softer approach, with curved chamfered ceiling edges mitigating the rigidity of the sloped roof. This design subtly connects the TV backdrop wall with a semi-arc column, enhancing the space's fluidity and openness.

ROOM 04: The Old Red 

This semi-underground apartment embraces a retro red theme. Despite its location, natural light is maximized through ceiling-adjacent windows, complemented by white tiles, light-toned finishes, and warm underlighting, creating the brightest possible living environment.
Honoring the building's original red brickwork, the design retains the existing exposed red beams while incorporating deep red hues to evoke a romantic and mysterious avant-garde atmosphere that stirs emotional resonance.

ROOM 05: The Box 

Faced with spatial constraints, this room introduces the concept of a wooden"box" to delineate living and sleeping areas. The minimalist yet functional furnishings ensures adaptability, fostering a dynamic, magic cube-like space brimming with possibilities.

ROOM 06: Cabin in the Woods

Nestled in the attic, this space is defined by its dramatic skylight—a distinctive feature and also a design challenge. To address this, the design team leveraged the height variations between the building structure and flooring to create distinct zones, evoking the childhood dream of a treehouse while optimizing spatial functionality.

Relaxed floor seating encourages closer interaction, while warm timber, stone elements, and ambient lighting highlight the textures of each material. These elements harmonize, crafting a serene retreat where travelers can escape urban hustle and find inner peace.

Pendant lights subtly define dynamic and quiet areas. The flexible tatami setup transitions between a sofa and a bed as needed, enhancing both functionality and comfort. Meanwhile, the dining table doubles as a work desk or coffee counter, enriching the diversity of daily experiences.

 

#04 Creative Design Empowers Business

From China to the UK, EK Design has reimagined an old brewery into luxury serviced apartments —an ambitious challenge the team has embraced. As chief designer Mao Hua candidly reflects, "Every project, from concept to execution, involves countless iterations and refinements."

Rather than chasing fleeting design trends, EK Design is committed to delivering creative  designs, letting art thrive in every space.

Spanning four years, this project has transformed old factory spaces into thriving serviced apartments through artistic design, featuring six distinctive themes across 13 apartments. It has generated value far beyond expectations, received overwhelmingly positive feedback, and achieved exceptionally high occupancy rates—powerful proof of its design creativity." Trueman Court, now open for over two years, boasts near-perfect ratings on Booking.com, TripAdvisor, Airbnb, and Expedia. Its high occupancy rates and loyal returning guests firmly establish it as a standout in Liverpool’s serviced apartment sector.

With meticulous attention to scale, material selection, and the use of diverse soft furnishings, along with optimized layouts and distinctive designs, this meticulous yet holistic approach not only enhances the guest experience but also enhances operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

As Nathan Chan notes, "Stylish, high-end, spacious, clever and modern are common terms seen in our guest feedback." 

Mao Hua attributes the project's success to Liverpool's openness, inclusiveness, as well as the trust of the client. "Young consumers and the property owner/operator alike are willing to pay for good design and unique experiences. Moreover, serviced apartments with youthful and creative concepts remain scarce here." EK Design’s distinctive design has not only won over guests but also generated strong online visibility for Trueman Court.

With its timeless red brick facade blending seamlessly into the city’s streetscape, Trueman Court exudes understated elegance, quietly narrating its story of beauty and history.

Unlike conventional serviced apartments, this Liverpool-based destination offers more than just accommodation—it presents an authentic and enduring living experience. Rooted in history yet expressed through minimalist, pure design, it opens up a new vision of modern travel lifestyle.

 

Project information

Project name: Trueman Court Luxury Serviced Apartments

Location: Liverpool, UK

Area: 800 sqm

Completion time: July 2022

Client: JAGA Group Developments

Design firm: EK Design

Photography: Yushi Li, Mao Hua, JAGA Group Developments