Pier Head
By the 1890s, the George's Dock stood as a silent testament to Liverpool's changing commercial needs. Built in 1771, this third dock constructed for the city had become too small and shallow for late nineteenth-century ships. Most of the land belonged to the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board, established by Parliament in 1857. A small portion remained under the control of the Corporation of the City of Liverpool. These two bodies held differing priorities regarding the site. The board refused to give up any commercial advantage for the benefit of the corporation.
In January 1896, discussions began between the two opposing groups over the future of the land. Frederick, Lord Derby led the corporation team while Robert Gladstone represented the board. After two years of negotiation, an agreement was reached. Parliamentary authority secured the deal that followed. The Corporation paid £277,399 for the entire site. From this sum, the Board reserved about 13,500 square yards for its own headquarters building.
The board announced a competition restricted to local architects for their new headquarters. Alfred Waterhouse served as the adjudicator for the event. Despite protests in national architectural journals, the firm of Briggs, Wolstenholme, Hobbs and Thornley won the commission. A neo-baroque design received approval with a central dome added at the last minute. Building work commenced in March 1903 and the structure opened in the summer of 1907.
When acquiring the site, the corporation expected tenants for the remaining plots but none appeared. An auction held in 1905 attracted no bidders whatsoever. The following year, the Royal Liver Friendly Society approached through architect Walter Aubrey Thomas. They offered considerably less than hoped: £70,000 instead of £95,000. Gladstone and the Mersey Docks expressed consternation over the height of the proposed headquarters. After much debate, the corporation approved the plans for what became England's first skyscraper.
In 1913, the Cunard shipping line announced its intention to build a new headquarters in Liverpool. The resulting Cunard Building used reinforced concrete clad in Portland Stone. Architectural historian Peter De Figueiredo described it as superior in refinement of detail compared to its neighbors. Construction took place between 1914 and 1916. This grade II* listed building served as the former headquarters of the Cunard Line shipping company.
In 2002, the Pier Head and Mann Island faced an ill-fated development scheme known as the Fourth Grace project. The winning entry designed by Will Alsop was called the Cloud. Fundamental changes to the original waterfront plan left the project unworkable. It was abandoned in 2004 after years of planning and design work.
Work began in 2007 to re-house the Museum of Liverpool Life. The new facility opened in 2011 under the name Museum of Liverpool. Simultaneously, construction started on a canal link between the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and the South Docks. The £22 million pound extension officially opened on the 25th of March 2009. Boaters gained access at the end of April 2009 when the system passed the landmark buildings.
A new floating stage opened on the 13th of July 1975 but sank within months due to freak weather conditions. Similar low tides caused it to sink again on the 2nd of March 2006. One girder's air pocket ruptured during this second incident. A temporary landing stage remained until early 2010. Services resumed on the 9th of January 2012 after a brand new dedicated stage arrived in November 2011.
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Common questions
When was the Pier Head site acquired by the Corporation of Liverpool?
The Corporation paid £277,399 for the entire site after an agreement reached in January 1896 following two years of negotiation. The deal secured parliamentary authority and reserved about 13,500 square yards for the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board headquarters.
Who designed the Royal Liver Building at the Pier Head?
The firm of Briggs Wolstenholme Hobbs and Thornley won the competition restricted to local architects for the new headquarters. Alfred Waterhouse served as the adjudicator for the event despite protests in national architectural journals.
What year did construction begin on the Cunard Building in Liverpool?
Construction took place between 1914 and 1916 for the grade II* listed building that used reinforced concrete clad in Portland Stone. Architectural historian Peter De Figueiredo described it as superior in refinement of detail compared to its neighbors.
Why was the Fourth Grace project abandoned in 2004?
Fundamental changes to the original waterfront plan left the winning entry designed by Will Alsop called the Cloud unworkable. The ill-fated development scheme known as the Fourth Grace project faced years of planning and design work before being abandoned.
When did services resume at the Pier Head after the floating stage sank in 2006?
Services resumed on the 9th of January 2012 after a brand new dedicated stage arrived in November 2011. A temporary landing stage remained until early 2010 following the second sinking incident caused by similar low tides.