Liverpool Waterfront
Liverpool Waterfront had served a pivotal role as the gateway to
the New World for millions of people at the turn of 19th and 20th
century. White Star Line and Cunard Line were based at the port serving mass migration from Europe to America of which the most famous case is Titanic - Liverpool being its registry port. This part of Liverpool is UNESCO's World Heritage Site.
The Three Graces
Encompassing Liverpool's waterfront, are the three buildings symbolizing the glory and importance which the second city in the British Empire (after London) could easily afford.
They are one of the first structures in the world to be built using reinforced concrete; all are cladded in Portland Stone. They offer the most outstanding views and are the most photographed buildings in Liverpool.
Royal Liver Building (1911) erected for the Royal Liver Assurance group, remained its head office until 2011. The building was considered of radical design at the time, and even impossible to build according to some engineers, but finally it's technique had become a prototype to some early American skyscrapers.
The Royal Liver Building has 13 floors crowned by a pair of clock towers, larger than those of London's famous Big Ben, and are the largest electronically driven clocks in the UK.
Liverpool's most recognisable emblem - the Liver Birds - atop. Officially cormorants, standing upright with half-raised wings and holding seaweed in their beaks. According to legend, their task is to watch over the city and the sea - from where the prosperity has been coming.
They are named Bella and Bertie. Bella is looking out to sea for any handsome sailors coming up, and to greet visitors; Bertie is looking inland to watch over families or - to see if the pubs are still open. If one of the birds were to fly away, the city of Liverpool would cease to exist. That's why they are chained.
Cunard Building (1916) was built as a headquarters of the Cunard Line and facilities for trans-Atlantic journeys which included the booking hall, waiting rooms for first, second and third class passengers, luggage storage, secure vaults, and a currency exchange. Later it served for Cunard White Star Line headquarters until the 1960s when they moved to New York.
This is a mix of Italian Renaissance and Greek Revival style architecture, adorned by highly detailed sculptures: Britannia, Neptune, Zodiac, a lion, Peace, War, Storm, different races reflecting the global reach of the Cunard company, the coat of arms of the United Kingdom's allies during the First World War. In front of the building there is the Cunard War Memorial.
The Three Graces
Encompassing Liverpool's waterfront, are the three buildings symbolizing the glory and importance which the second city in the British Empire (after London) could easily afford.
They are one of the first structures in the world to be built using reinforced concrete; all are cladded in Portland Stone. They offer the most outstanding views and are the most photographed buildings in Liverpool.
Royal Liver Building (1911) erected for the Royal Liver Assurance group, remained its head office until 2011. The building was considered of radical design at the time, and even impossible to build according to some engineers, but finally it's technique had become a prototype to some early American skyscrapers.
In 2016, the building was put up for sale for the first time in its history. Current tenants are the Royal Liver Friendly Society, Everton
FC, ITV, HSBC, among many others.
The Royal Liver Building has 13 floors crowned by a pair of clock towers, larger than those of London's famous Big Ben, and are the largest electronically driven clocks in the UK.
Liverpool's most recognisable emblem - the Liver Birds - atop. Officially cormorants, standing upright with half-raised wings and holding seaweed in their beaks. According to legend, their task is to watch over the city and the sea - from where the prosperity has been coming.
They are named Bella and Bertie. Bella is looking out to sea for any handsome sailors coming up, and to greet visitors; Bertie is looking inland to watch over families or - to see if the pubs are still open. If one of the birds were to fly away, the city of Liverpool would cease to exist. That's why they are chained.
Cunard Building (1916) was built as a headquarters of the Cunard Line and facilities for trans-Atlantic journeys which included the booking hall, waiting rooms for first, second and third class passengers, luggage storage, secure vaults, and a currency exchange. Later it served for Cunard White Star Line headquarters until the 1960s when they moved to New York.
Many ships and
liners were developed and designed at the Cunard Building, including the
RMS Queen Mary, RMS Queen Elizabeth and QE2.
This is a mix of Italian Renaissance and Greek Revival style architecture, adorned by highly detailed sculptures: Britannia, Neptune, Zodiac, a lion, Peace, War, Storm, different races reflecting the global reach of the Cunard company, the coat of arms of the United Kingdom's allies during the First World War. In front of the building there is the Cunard War Memorial.
Nowadays
the building is owned by Liverpool City Council and is home to a range
of offices for public and private organisations including the British
Music Experience. The building is often used for a colour-light display.
Cruise ships are now berthing at a newly constructed terminal near Princess Dock.
Port of Liverpool Building (1907) - the former home of the Mersey
Docks and Harbour Board, commonly known as the Dock Office. Built on the site of the former dock, deeper than normal foundations were required -
some 35,000 tons of cement. Asphalt was used in basement level to make it water-resistant. Edwardian Baroque style, noted for the large dome,
many ornamental maritime details in and out. Entrance, river-facing,
flanked by two statues of women representing "Commerce" and "Industry",
gates decorated with a globe supported by dolphins, mermaids, shells and anchors. The outside lights are held by Neptune.
The
building's interior grand decor has been used as a film set on several occasions, most famously in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
Cruise ships are now berthing at a newly constructed terminal near Princess Dock.
***
Below you can explore the Waterfront area in a moving picture :