Date | 24 November 2013 | ||
Location | Pier Head, Liverpool | SJ 33863 90266; 53.40503°N, 2.99628°W | |
Information |
Liverpool’s iconic waterfront edifices The Three Graces — The Royal Liver Building, The Cunard Building and The Port of Liverpool Building — were completed in the early 20th century and are located at the Pier Head on the River Mersey. Royal Liver Building This Grade I listed building, designed by Walter Aubrey Thomas, was officially opened in 1911 as a purpose-built headquarters of the Royal Liver Friendly Society. The concrete-framed building is clad in granite and has eight storeys plus two attic storeys. It was one of the world’s first multi-storey concrete-framed buildings. The building is still occupied by the Royal Liver Assurance group. Cunard Building This Grade II* listed building, designed by William Edward Willink and Philip Coldwell Thicknesse, was completed in 1917 as the head office of the Cunard Line. The Portland stone building has a basement and six storeys. The company moved its UK headquarters to Southampton in the 1960s and sold the building to Prudential plc. It was acquired in 2001 by the Merseyside Pension Fund and currently has a number of different public- and private-sector tenants. Port of Liverpool Building This Grade II* listed building, designed by Sir Arnold Thornely and F.B. Hobbs, was opened in 1907 as the headquarters of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board, who occupied it until 1994. The concrete-framed building is clad in Portland stone and has a basement and five storeys. In 2009 a £10m refurbishment programme was completed by developers Downing who converted it for mixed office and residential accommodation. Royal Liver Building (Wikipedia);
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#1… 🙂
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🙂
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These are superb structures, which you have photographed with your customary skill. I love them all, but I always think the Port building looks like it has been made from a “neo classical Lego” set, or a cake decoration outfit…the Liver Building is something else though….wonderful. It’s great to have these still on the waterfront, amid some other more modern structures…makes for an exciting skyline.
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Thanks, Iain. The Liver Building is marvellous, isn’t it?
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I love it, Graham, thanks. Your photographs work perfectly, especially the last one. Great job honoring these three beauties. The text mentions concrete construction – a suburb of NYC where I once lived boasts a 1930’s early concrete residence, a very unusual looking building that flaunted its materials amidst all the other typical residences. Like so many interesting buildings, it was once slated for demolition but luckily, it was bought by someone who restored it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hastings_Prototype_House
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Very interesting, thanks for the link, Lynn. I found a few more photos of it here: http://landmarkhunter.com/165638-hastings-prototype-house/
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That’s the one! For several years I drove past it on the way to work and wondered about it, then I learned a little of the story. I’m glad you appreciated the little gem. 🙂
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