Everton majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri purchases iconic Royal Liver Building

Everton majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri has bought the Royal Liver Building alongside international property group Corestate. The British-Iranian, who bought a 49.9% stake in Everton just over a year ago, completed the deal alongside Corestate in February for around £48m and is delighted at acquiring a landmark building which he believes possesses room for improvement.

The Royal Liver Building was the tallest building in Europe when it was first opened in 1911 and is arguably Liverpool's most iconic establishment. The Grade 1 listed building has pride of place on the Liverpool waterfront, where Everton's proposed new stadium is set to be built over the next few years, and Moshiri, who also purchased the indelible Liver birds adorned on the rooftop of the building, will be able to get a clear view of the Bramley Moore dock – the exact location for the Toffees' supposed arena – when he looks out of his new property.

"I am delighted to have jointly acquired the Royal Liver Building, which is a world-class property in a bustling riverfront location," the Everton chief told the Liverpool Echo.

"Following my investment in Everton last year, I am confident in the prospects for Liverpool as a thriving international city and am pleased that I have been able to make this investment in such a landmark building with potential for further improvement."

Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson believes the sale of the Royal Liver Building is great news for the whole of Liverpool and shows that the city is a place where people want to invest their money.

Anderson, who played a huge role in Everton securing the land required in order to build their new stadium, confirmed that Moshiri and Corestate will plunge more money into their new acquisition and believes the deal is 'a massive statement of confidence' in the city.

"This is stating loud and clear that Liverpool is a city that has done well," Anderson said. "Liverpool is a city where you can invest. It's great news for the building because it's going to bring more footfall. He's going to invest in the building.

"It's a landmark building. It will also have an additional effect in that it will increase the value of the Cunard Building even further. It's a massive statement of confidence not just in the waterfront but in Liverpool and it is to be welcomed."