AN ARCHITECTURAL WALKING TOUR OF LIVERPOOL

References

1. J. Sharples, Liverpool (Pevsner Architectural Guides), p. 71.

2. J. Sharples, Liverpool (Pevsner Architectural Guides), p. 71.

3. Q. Hughes, Liverpool: City of Architecture, p. 140.

4. S. Bayley, Liverpool: Shaping The City, p. 34.

5. Liverpool Heritage Bureau, Buildings of Liverpool, p. 20.

6. J. Sharples, Liverpool (Pevsner Architectural Guides), p. 71.

7. http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-214150-cunard-building-#.Vrj6uja8z8s

8. Q. Hughes, Liverpool: City of Architecture, p. 140. 

9. J. Sharples, Charles Reilly & the Liverpool School of Architecture 1904-1933, p. 32.

10. Q. Hughes, Seaport: Architecture &Townscape in Liverpool,  p. 74.

11. J. Sharples, Liverpool (Pevsner Architectural Guides), p. 71.

12. Q. Hughes, Liverpool: City of Architecture, p. 140. 

13. J. Sharples, Liverpool (Pevsner Architectural Guides), p. 71.

14. Video source - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/video/news/video-1168326/Discover-history-Liverpools-famous-Cunard-building.html

CUNARD BUILDING

In 1914, the final of the three sites created by the draining of Georges Dock was acquired by Cunard Steamship Company for use as its head office.1  By this time the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board building (Port of Liverpool building) and the Royal Liver building were built, leaving the plot between them.  The architects employed to complete the designs for the Cunard building were Willink & Thicknesse with Arthur Davis, of Mewes & Davis, as consultant.  Although Sharples suggests that the building may actually have been initially designed by Davis:

“However, recently discovered drawings, apparently by Davis, show that the design had been brought close to its final form well before the contract with Willink & Thicknesse was signed.” 2

The Cunard building consists of six floors of office space with two large light wells cut out of the rectangular footprint to allow natural light into the building, including important spaces such as the main shipping hall [1] on the ground floor.3  Bayley explains that the material selection and construction method are similar to its Pier Head neighbours, he also quotes Quentin Hughes to describe the architectural style of the building:

“Like the Liver Building, the Cunard Office’s construction is ferro-concrete with deeply incised Portland stone cladding: an ‘Italian palazzo draped in Greek Revival detail’, according to Quentin Hughes.” 4

The building is appreciated by the Liverpool Heritage Bureau as they recognise it is very well proportioned stating, that although it is not as impressive in appearance as its two neighbours, it is still a triumph of architecture:

“Less of a tour de force than either the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board or the Liver Building, it can never the less stand a closer and more critical architectural examination.” 5

Sharples describes the choice of architectural style to provide variance between the ‘Three Graces’ and not mimic there extravagant approaches:

“The broadly Italian Renaissance style and the emphatically horizontal palazzo shape with mighty crowning cornice were chosen to contrast with the discordant buildings on either side, rather than attempt to reconcile them.” 6

Honoured by its Grade II* Listed status.7 The Cunard building is described by Hughes in own his publication Liverpool: City of Architecture as:

“a work of the classical Greek Revival inspired by contemporary architecture in the United States and by Charles Reilly’s teachings and propaganda at the Liverpool School of Architecture.” 8

It is possible that Reilly influenced the design, he was Willink's neighbour at Dingle Bank and it is also thought that they may have shared Willink’s office at one time, Harold Dodd (one of Reilly’s students) joined Willink and Thicknesse at the time to work on the Cunard building and later became a partner at the firm.9

The Portland stone faced building is heavily tooled at the base.  This rustication was to enhance the aesthetic of the building taking advantage of its waterfront position, the soot from the industrial port and steamships would unavoidably cover the building but this would find its way into the created crevices, leaving the exposed protrusions of the facade clean and white.10

The carved shields [2] visible at the building’s frieze represent the allied nations of the First World War.11 The statue [3] in front of the main entrance facing the Pier Head is a memorial to the Cunard staff who were killed during the war, the architects insisted that this should be in keeping with the architectural style of the building, Hughes describes: 

“It consists of a Roman Doric column raised on a pedestal.  Two ship’s prows project from the surface of the column, an inappropriate allusion to Roman naval victories in the Punic wars.  The only other reference to the splendid maritime activity of the Cunard is the suspension of a slim anchor and the mouldings of the capital.  The column is crowned by the figure of Victory, intended by the sculpturer to be nude but required by the company to be dropped with a fig leaf.” 12

The building served as both the head office for the steamship company and also a passenger terminal, baggage handling and storage was at basement level as well as other class passengers, whilst first class passengers would be entertained elsewhere.13 All classes of passenger would have to pass through the main hall were their tickets would be checked and they would be directed to the appropriate areas.14