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Liverpool's finest listed buildings

18 March 2024

Liverpool's finest listed buildings

By Jim Sales Account Executive

Aerial view of Liverpool, highlighting the Royal Liver Building with its Liver Bird statues against a backdrop of the city and waterfront.

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Liverpool boasts a magnificent heritage on many fronts – music, football, theatre, comedy legends, and only last year, the host of Eurovision. But the foundation of all of this history and creativity is in the bricks and mortar – and the plethora of listed buildings across the length and breadth of the city. In fact, the birthplace of The Beatles, This Morning, and Scouse stew has an impressive 27 Grade I listed buildings. We take a closer look at just some of these and the fascinating stories behind them.

1. Albert Dock Traffic Office

When the Albert Dock was the bustling centre of the shipping trade in the 19th century, the Traffic Office, designed by Philip Hardwick and completed in 1847, was where all the important work was done.

The red brick Grade I structure was built on three storeys, with a façade that includes a Tuscan portico and frieze made from four columns of cast iron.

Having had very little function from its closure following World War II, along with the rest of the Albert Dock, this area fell into disrepair and was heavily neglected. Then in the mid-to-late 1980s the Albert Dock underwent a massive regeneration, and this building sprung back to life as the Merseyside branch of the Granada Television Studios, where This Morning was originally broadcast from – complete with floating weather map.

More recently, from 2008 it became part of the International Slavery Museum and was also renamed the Dr Martin Luther King Building in 2021.

One building, and at least three very different back stories.

2. Anglican Cathedral

To give its official title, the Anglican Cathedral Church of Christ straddles one side of the city centre landscape, while the more modernist Catholic Cathedral (AKA Paddy’s Wigwam), just a few streets away, dominates the opposite side in almost perfect symmetry.

Designed by Giles Gilbert Scott (who can also lay claim to the red telephone box), the Anglican Cathedral is the largest cathedral and religious building in the UK and currently the eighth largest church in the world. And while construction of this Gothic-revival design structure began in 1904, additions continued until 1978.

There was also a great deal of competition and controversy as various architects vied to control the style and gain overall control, which is worth following here.

Its dizzying height of 331 feet (101 metres) is made all the more impressive as it doesn’t have a spire. And while it may not quite be the biggest cathedral in its entirety, it does hold the title for the longest, with a total external length of 207 yards (189 metres).

In current times, aside from still being an incredibly important place of worship, the Cathedral is often used for music concerts as well as graduation ceremonies for Liverpool students.

3. Bluecoat Chambers

The Bluecoat Chambers could simply earn its Grade I listed status by being the oldest surviving building in the city centre – but it has so much more story to it than that.

With its foundations dating back to 1716, it was originally founded as the Liverpool Bluecoats Charity School, which remained at the site until moving out to more suburban Wavertree in 1906.

Despite extensive bomb damage in World War II during The Blitz, post-war rebuilding, and further restoration in the 21^st century has seen the building experience a rebirth as an arts centre, performance space, and craft gallery. Those who have exhibited, performed, or spoken here over the years have included Stravinsky, Picasso, Cezanne, and writer Doris Lessing.

Built in brick with a slate roof and painted stone dressings, the H-shape construction surrounds three sides of a quad. Other features of note include the round-arched windows and an octagonal cupola on the roof, also with the round-arched openings. There are plenty of Ionic columns and cherub heads are a common feature in many of the windows. Not only is the building Grade I listed, but the wall, railings and gate pier that separate Bluecoats from the road also have been awarded this status.

You can discover more about Bluecoat’s architecture and many uses here.

4. Princes Road Synagogue

Once upon a Victorian time, Toxteth was a popular residential area for Liverpool’s most well-off and prosperous. And among those were a number of the thriving Jewish community, who were keen to have a synagogue in the area that encapsulated this community success story, and which was within walking distance of their homes, in keeping with Jewish tradition.

Founded towards the end of the 1860s, consecrated in 1874 (making this year its 150^th anniversary) and designed by architect brothers William James Audsley and George Ashdown Audsley, its style is a combination of Moorish Revival and eclectic design variations – all of which came together to create a distinctive synagogue style that has been duplicated across the world.

Building features of note include the bright terracotta bricks and the large Moorish portal divided by a central column. But what really captures the eye is the lavish use of colour and gilding, round-arched ceilings, and use of natural and candle light that are reflected through the clerestory windows.

Over time, as the Jewish community expanded, members moved to the suburbs, so the synagogue became less popular for regular services. However, it’s not only Grade I listed, but remains very popular as a destination for weddings and other Jewish special occasions.

5. Royal Liver Building

We couldn’t create this Liverpool list without including the iconic and majestic Royal Liver Building. But it’s far more than the two birds that perch atop its roof.

Taking its proud place on the waterfront next to the river Mersey, it’s also known as one of the Three Graces – the other two being the Cunard Building and Port of Liverpool Building.

When it first opened in 1911, the building, designed by Walter Aubrey Thomas, was the home of the Royal Liverpool Assurance Group. Employing around 6,000 people at the time, this workforce needed a big building in a key location. It was one of the very first structures in the world to integrate reinforced concrete and stands at 322 feet (98.2 metres) high but, when we add on those birds, that height increases to 340 feet (103.7 metres). And it wasn’t so long away that the Liver Building was one of the tallest in the country, but now with the literal rise of the skyscraper, it’s only the fourth tallest building in Liverpool.

There’s a wonderful and well-known legend that if the birds were to “fly away”, Liverpool would cease to exist. The two, who many call Bella and Bertie, face in different directions – one towards the water and the other inland. And while it’s highly unlikely that these copper constructed cormorants will go anywhere, their place in Liverpool’s past, present and future is viewed by many as a physical and much-loved talisman.

6. Speke Hall

Now for something very different. Speke Hall is an outstanding example of 16^th century timber-framed construction. Set in the outer Liverpool district of Speke (the airport’s former name until being renamed as John Lennon Airport), it took its present and distinctive shape when owned by Sir William Norris and his grandson, another William.

The Grade I listed wattle-and-daub manor house is now a National Trust property but has building roots going back to 1530. Starting with the Great Hall, the Great Oak Parlour Wing was soon added followed by the North Bay, South Wing, West Wing, and North Range. All of this was completed by 1546 and surprisingly little else has been added since.

The original oak frame was constructed on a red sandstone base, while the exterior and interior boast the extensive Tudor beams that make this such a superb example from this period.

But what of its use and history? The Norris family were of Roman Catholic faith so one of the first special features was a priest hole and observation hole in the chimney, so the priest or house occupants would know if anyone was approaching. And if you are curious about where the phrase “eavesdropping” comes from, it’s a small hole under the eaves where servants could listen in to the conversations of those waiting to gain admittance at the front gate – so one of the first examples of a security system!

After many changes of ownership across the centuries, the National Trust took over in 1943, but due to ongoing repairs and restoration, it wasn’t until 1986 that it was ready for visitors.

Now a significant tourist attraction, visitors can not only enjoy a tour of the house but can take in some incredible views of the wider area from the beautifully maintained grounds.

7. St George's Hall

Just across the way from Lime Street Station and at the very heart of Liverpool city centre, is St George’s Hall. And with its strong line of supporting columns, various statues, and carved inlays, it’s impossible to miss.

The Grade I neoclassical structure is now mainly used for music performances, weddings, and other grand ceremonies but like so many others on our list, there’s a good slice of history to appreciate.

Before it was St George’s Hall, the site was home to the Liverpool Infirmary from 1749 to 1824. But when the need for a specific and splendid musical performance space was raised, the land was seen to be the ideal place for such a venue. And unusually, much of the costs were raised through fundraising and shares. The foundation stone was eventually laid in 1838, deliberately in line with Queen Victoria’s coronation.

The architectural design was the subject of a competition in 1839, with a grand prize (or payment) of 250 guineas – which was eventually won by Harvey Lonsdale Elmes. And the brief?

“There is to be accommodation in the main hall for 3,000 persons; and there is also to be a concert room, capable of accommodating 1,000 persons, applicable to other purposes such as lectures and smaller meetings….the cost of the building will be £35,000”^[12]

There is so much of architectural note, we recommend that you visit for further enlightenment, but highlights include the Great Hall – based on the Baths of Caracalla. This is home to many statues and a stunning floor and ceiling that need to be seen to be believed.

Sadly, Elmes didn’t live to see the building completed, and costs ended up exceeding £300,000 – a very considerable fortune back then. But on a happier note, the building became one of the most admired in the UK, with visitors such as Queen Victoria and Prince Albert frequenting it for concerts and performances.

Special mentions

There are many other Grade I listed buildings both in the centre of Liverpool and in the suburbs that are very much worth a visit if you’re staying in the area. These include the astonishingly modern (for their time) Oriel Chambers and Liverpool Town Hall – a fine example of 18^th century architecture.

We’d also suggest that you take a rest stop at the Philharmonic Dining Rooms, a pub opposite the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. Not only is it five storeys of Grade I awesome architecture, but the men’s urinals are well-known for their beauty all over the world. And yes, there are opportunities for those who aren’t men to stare in wonder at these Victorian masterpieces!

We’ll end on a more modern example. As The Beatles themselves sang, “There are places I’ll remember”, and none more so than the childhood and teenage home of John Lennon in the leafy suburb of Woolton. This unassuming semi is where a young John lived with his beloved auntie Mimi but has now taken on a life of its own with a Grade II listing – a must-do stop on any Beatles tour. In 2002, it was purchased by Yoko Ono and given to the National Trust, ensuring it would be preserved for generations to come, and earning its place alongside more traditional buildings in Liverpool hearts and history.

We’ll be returning to Liverpool for another listed look soon, but not before we make a stop in Manchester, Birmingham, and other parts of the UK.

Liverpool's finest listed buildings

1. Albert Dock Traffic Office

2. Anglican Cathedral

3. Bluecoat Chambers

4. Princes Road Synagogue

5. Royal Liver Building

6. Speke Hall

7. St George's Hall

Special mentions

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