Buildings

This Arch is the largest outside China at 15 metres tall. It was shipped from Shanghai piece by piece and placed at the entrance to Chinatown in accordance with the principals of Feng Shui.

Now regarded as one of the finest Neo-Classical buildings in the world, St George’s Hall is a grade I listed building. St George’s Hall fell into disrepair in the 1980s, but now refurbished, it is a focal point for cultural, community, civic, corporate and performing arts activities.

These 19th-century warehouse buildings are the biggest group of grade 1 listed buildings in Britain, converted into an award-winning attraction. The Albert Dock is a  stunning architectural triumph. Opened in 1846, it soon became a treasure house of precious international cargoes. Today it has been transformed into a top heritage attraction and stopping for a break in one of the restaurants, bars and cafes that punctuate this attraction is well recommended.

Known locally  as ‘Paddy’s Wigwam’ the original designs for the Cathedral were completed on commission by Sir Edwin Lutyens in the 1930s. Lutyens design would have created a massive structure that would have become the second largest church in the world. Work began on the Cathedral in 1933 however by 1941 the restrictions of World War II and rising costs forced construction to stop. In 1956 work recommenced on the crypt and finished in 1958, but the project was deemed too expensive and the crypt remains the only part of Lutyens design to be completed. In 1959 a competition was held to design a cathedral to accommodate the existing crypt and the winning design, by Sir Frederick Gibberd, is the Cathedral we see today.

Completed in 1978 after 74 years, the largest cathedral in the UK and the fifth largest in the world, towers over the city and can be seen from miles around. In 1902 an open competition was held to design the Cathedral. This attracted great interest from architects as not only was it one of the largest building projects of the 20th century, but this was only the third opportunity to build an Anglican Cathedral in England following the Reformation of the 16th century. Entrants included noted architects such as Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Charles Herbert Reilly. However it was controversially won by 22-year-old student Giles Gilbert Scott who not only had no previous buildings to his credit but was also a Roman Catholic.

The Central Library buildings symbolise the cultural legacy of the city’s merchants and form an integral part of the World Heritage site in William Brown Street. The Library reopened in May 2013 with a beautifully re-modelled building several amazing services such as 15,000 rare books in the Hornby Library, Oak Room and Picton Reading Room. Wi-Fi access is also available throughout the building, plus 150 computers and iPads.

Built between 1904 and 1907, it stands at an impressive 220ft tall.  Designed in Edwardian Baroque style it is noted for its large dome, the focal point  at the top of the building. The headquarters of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board for 87 years, from 1907 to 1994 when they relocated to new premises.

The former headquarters of the Cunard Line shipping company was  constructed between 1913 and 1916, and is a grade 2 listed building. Designed by William Edward Willink and Philip Coldwell Thicknesse, the building’s style is a mix of Italian Renaissance and Greek Revival, and its development was particularly influenced by Italian palace design. The building was the headquarters of Cunard until the 1960s, when they relocated their global headquarters to New York.

The Royal Liver Building was constructed between 1908 and 1911 and was designed by Walter Aubrey Thomas. The grade 1 listed building is known for its two clock towers on which stand the mythical Liver Birds. There are numerous myths and legends surrounding the Liver Birds. According to popular legend they are a male and female pair, the female looking out to sea, while the male looks towards the city. Local legend has it that the birds face away from each other as, if they were to mate and fly away, the city would cease to exist. The building is the headquarters of the Royal Liver Friendly Society.

Liverpool’s Pier Head is home to three of the most famous buildings in the city. ‘The Three Graces’ as they are known consist of the Royal Liver Building, Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building.