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References

  1. J. Dunne and P. Richmond, The World In One School: The History and Influence of the Liverpool School of Architecture 1894-2008, pp. 10-11.

  2. J. Sharples, Charles Reilly & the Liverpool School of Architecture 1904-1933, p. 110.

  3. J. Sharples, Liverpool (Pevsner Architectural Guides), p. 168.

  4. J. Sharples, Charles Reilly & the Liverpool School of Architecture 1904-1933, p. 110.

  5. J. Sharples and J. Stonard, Built on Commerce: Liverpool’s central business district, p. 67.

  6. RIBA City Tour, Gateway to the World, Appendix D, line 280.

  7. J. Sharples, Charles Reilly & the Liverpool School of Architecture 1904-1933, p. 114.

  8. Q. Hughes, Liverpool: City of Architecture, p. 144.

  9. Liverpool Heritage Bureau, Buildings of Liverpool, p. 22.

  10. RIBA City Tour, Gateway to the World, Appendix D, lines 281-282.

  11. Q. Hughes, Liverpool: City of Architecture, p. 144.

  12. J. Sharples, Liverpool (Pevsner Architectural Guides), p. 170.

  13. RIBA City Tour, Gateway to the World, Appendix D, line 290.

  14. J. Sharples, Liverpool (Pevsner Architectural Guides), p. 170.

  15. RIBA City Tour, Gateway to the World, Appendix D, lines 284-287.

  16. RIBA City Tour, Gateway to the World, Appendix D, lines 294-297.

  17. J. Sharples, Liverpool (Pevsner Architectural Guides), p. 170.

  18. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3442341/The-historic-bank-hid-nation-s-gold-World-War-II-set-luxury-hotel-spa-following-50million-investment.html

  19. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/liverpools-first-luxury-five-star-hotel-9405140

MARTINS BANK

Martins Bank [1] on Water Street was designed by Herbert Rowse between 1927 and 1932 it is the second of Rowse’s large commercial buildings on the street, the first was India Buildings (1924).1  In 1927 while working on India Building’s on the south side of Water Street, Rowse won the competition to design the new headquarters for Martins Bank.  The assessor of the competition was Charles Herbert Reilly.2  Rowse studied at the Liverpool School of Architecture which was run by Reilly at the time, after studying in Liverpool Rowse travelled to the United States and Canada.  It is clear that the American classicism promoted by Reilly's School of Architecture and his travels have influenced this grand design.3  Because of these two influencing factors Joseph Sharples describes the building: 

“The resulting building is the outstanding example of early twentieth-century Liverpool classicism.” 4

 

Sharples and Stonard explain the architectural triumph of the building, and how Rowse helped to transform Liverpool’s commercial district: 

“No Liverpool office block topped the Royal Liver Building until the 1960’s, but several very large steel-framed buildings went up in the early 20th century, giving an almost transatlantic character to the commercial centre.  The most elegant are the India Buildings and Martins Bank Building facing each other across the canyon of Water Street.  Both were designed by Herbert J Rowse, who trained at the Liverpool School of Architecture before working for a period in Canada and the United States, and they show the clear influence of American commercial architecture in their enormous size and refined Italian Renaissance.” 5

They mention the American influence on the design and also the construction method, which is steel frame.  The multi-storey building is faced in Portland stone,6 in a lecture presented to the Liverpool Architectural Society in 1933 Rowse explained that one of the reasons behind the setting back of the upper floors was determined by the right to light of the adjacent properties as well as preventing the bank building from overpowering its neighbour, the Town Hall.  Some of the renaissance detailing was also chosen out of respect for the historic neo-classical building.7 The use of the steel frame enabled Rowse to cantilever walls which in turn helped to gain extra space on the floors above the banking hall, Hughes explains some of the criticism this received in the architectural press: 

“The critic in the Architects’ Journal wrote: ‘It is interesting to note, as a sign of the times, the frank disregard of architectonic construction in the means of pushing the upper floors back from the facades. Of course, with steel frame construction there is not the slightest difficulty in supporting walls over voids, and in this case, the economic advantages gained are a measure of justification. All the same it does give a shock to see a wall 60 or 70ft 

(18-21m) high standing over space and the question inevitably arises: is this architecture 

or is it not?’  But later he reconciles himself to the situation and writes that this is ‘probably the best building of its kind in the country.  The sugar icing which covers the steel frame, too, is very prettily done with more knowledge and a more consistent sense of skill than is usual in these buildings based entirely on tradition but stretched out the modern size’.” 8

 

This grand building clearly won over many critics, one of the other outstanding design features was the use off ducts meaning that the building is completely free of exposed pipes or wires. Liverpool Heritage Bureau explain the use of an advanced heating system incorporated into the building: 

“It has a steel-framed construction, and the design of servicing which incorporated completely ducted pipes and wires and low temperature ceiling heating was very advanced.” 9

At the time the building was built it was the only bank in England outside of London.10 Rowse convinced his clients that the building would be a worthwhile investment, which is possibly why the advanced technologies of the time were included, after Hughes explains the advancements he highlights the overall importance of quality architecture: 

“But most of all it is a rich, powerful, decorative building of considerable distinction and quality.  Rowse persuaded his client that an expensive building was a good investment.  The banking hall is an extravagant display in travertine and bronze, and every detail in the building down to the smallest item was designed by Rowse’s office.  The plan is symmetrical with four corner rotundas and has a large, unobstructed central banking hall lit from above.” 11

Sharples emphasises the point the Hughes makes regarding Rowse designing everything in the building: 

“Every detail, down to the stationery holders, was overseen by Rowse.” 12

The central entrance is a large set of bronze double doors [2] impressively detailed with themes of money and the sea, it leads to the main banking hall [3], which is described as the most ornate banking hall in the country.13 Other entrances north-east and south-west provide access to lettable office spaces that cantilever over the bank hall, the eighth floor board room [4] is reminiscent of a hall of a Renaissance palace.14

 

Martins Bank is considered to have been one of the most secure locations for safekeeping, it has three basements, during the Second World War the bullion from the London vaults was brought to Liverpool and although we did have a Bank of England round the corner on Castle Street, Martins Bank was said to be the most absolutely secure place. There is a plaque on the wall of the building to commemorate this.15

The use of sculpture on the building to emphasise power is still visible today.  Notably the figure of Neptune [5] is used because Liverpool made its money from the sea, importing and exporting goods through the docks and trade industry.  Controversially, what appears to be slave children are depicted in the artwork [6], Liverpool did unfortunately play a part in the slave trade which also increased the city’s wealth and may explain why this features.16 Both the interior and exterior sculpture work is by Herbert Tyson Smith assisted by Edmund Thompson and George Capstick.17

 

Matins Bank was bought by Barclays, which explains why in some publications it is referred to as Barclays Bank, it was in use as a bank until 2009, the banking hall has remained empty since. Recently the building has been subject to redevelopment interest, a £50m investment will transform the Grade II Listed building into a luxury hotel.18 It is expected that most of the original features of the building will remain, particularly the main banking hall decoration as it is anticipated to be converted into a restaurant, bar and reception area.19

 

 

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