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We will all look at the link titled, '1.The Three Graces' and then you can choose which of the Three Graces you are going to research.

Using the links on this page, you can find out about your chosen building in order to write a non-chronological report about it.

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1. Where the building is?
2. What it looks like?
3. Who designed/built it?
4. When was it built?
5. What was/is its purpose?
6. A range of interesting facts about the building

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The Cunard Building (1914-16) was designed by Willinck & Thicknesse, along with the help of Arthur J. Davis. This edifice is said to be inspired by the grand Italian palazzos along the waterfront in Venice. This simple looking, squat building is deceiving. Inside are grand wood-panelled rooms, Corinthian columns and even marble-lined toilets, (although quite why someone thought it useful to line such an item with marble remains a mystery). The overall idea for inside the Cunard Building, apparently, was to make this feel as if you were on one of Cunard's grand liners, hence the elegant columns and panelling.

The Cunard Building provided refuge as a Second World War air-raid shelter, and being on the docks, it was an ideal location to keep ship building blueprints.

Recently restoration was carried out on the roof and in the basement, two areas found to be in need of repair.

The Pier Head, where the Three Graces, well... grace, is part of Liverpool's UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a trip to Liverpool isn't complete without a walk along the spectacular waterfront to admire the Three Graces. After all they are the goddesses of charm, beauty and creativity.

Words by Connor Maxwell

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Liverpool's 3 Graces - A Brief History -

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Liverpool is a much undervalued and little talked about city and sea port. At the beginning of what is often called the 'naughties', (2000 - 2009), UNESCO named this city a World Heritage Site, and that is of no small significance.

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About
CORONAVIRUS
Please ensure that when visiting Liverpool's Pier Head that you adhere to the Government guidelines around social distancing. Please - especially during these times where more visitors are attending outdoor spaces such as these - do not leave litter on the Pier Head. If bins are full, please take your litter home with you.

They define one of the most beautiful skylines in - well we'd say the world - the Three Graces consist of the Royal Liver Building, The Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building and they situate themselves on Liverpool's Pier Head.

These majestic buildings were conceived and constructed as visible symbols of Liverpool's international prestige, proud emblems of its commercial prowess.

The Royal Liver Building the jewel in the crown, adorned by two Liver Birds, is the city's signature landmark. The Liver birds are the city's emblem and you'll find them dotted across Liverpool's precious architecture.

Designed by Walter Aubrey Thomas, construction of the iconic structure began in 1908 and opened in 1911 as the home of Royal Liver Assurance, and became the first major construction in Britain.

The tale of the two Liver Birds relates to the city's maritime heritage. The Liver bird that looks over the Mersey River is said to represent the wives who stay at home and look out to their sailor husbands out at sea and the Liver Bird that looks over the city represents these sailors out at sea, looking back over to the city and their family.

Local legend also holds that if the two birds were ever fly away, Liverpool would cease to exist. Let's hope not eh?

The Liver Building remains a working office, home to companies such as Grant Thornton LLP and Princes. The first floor of the venue is home to 'The Venue' at the Royal Liver building that often plays host to glitzy parties and corporate meetings.

Next door you'll see the Cunard building. A Grade II listed building built between 1914 and 1917, with a style influenced by both the Italian Renaissance and Greek Revival.

Since the building first opened and until the late 1960s it was the headquarters of the famous and still-going-strong Cunard Cruise Line.

Liverpool still maintains its close and proud relationship with the cruise line, with the building keeping its original tenant's name and being the host of both the magnificent reuniting of the Cunard Three Queens in 2015 and the Centenary celebrations of the Cunard headquarters in 2016 on the Pier Head.

To the West of the Cunard Building is the Cunard War Memorial, erected in memory of the Cunard employees who were tragically killed during the First World War and later World War II.

The monument itself was sculpted by Henry Alfred Pegram and was designed to match the Greek features of the building.

Now, the former passenger luggage room of the Cunard building has been transformed into a fascinating exhibition on British Popular Music. The interior grandeur of the building has been maintained mind, with the exhibition build complementing the ornate style of the famous building.

The British Music Experience, located on the ground floor of the Cunard is a permanent exhibition dedicated to some of the finest British music artists ever to walk the globe, from 1940 to present day.

The remaining floors of the building are used as office space by local Liverpool businesses.

Finally, is the Port of Liverpool Building also Grade II listed, it was the first of the Three Graces to 'grace' the waterfront with its presence, with construction starting in 1904 and opening in 1907 as the headquarters of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board. The MDHB housed here for 87 years right up until 1994.

In 2006 and until 2009, the Edwardian Baroque style building underwent a major £10m restoration, bringing many of its original features back to life.

The building's central dome is the main focal point of the building - though it wasn't actually part of the original design of the building, it was inspired by an unused design for Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral that was developed several year's earlier. It's noted for its ornate architectural features and expensive decorative features that are reflective of Liverpool's maritime links and importance in maintaining the British Empire.

The Pier Head itself forms part of Liverpool's UNESCO World Heritage site and has many other famous attractions and landmarks to visit from The Beatles Statue that was erected in 2015, to the famous Mersey Ferry that docks in front of the Mersey Ferries Building.

Nearer to the waterside you'll find a Telescope sculpture that commemorates the late Jeremiah Horrocks, a 17th century astronomer from Toxteth - local to Liverpool. You'll also see a monument of Edward VII, Lambananas, numerous cruise ships docking and not forgetting the Museum of Liverpool.

The Museum of Liverpool is a landmark building, erected on Liverpool's Pier Head in 2008. The Museum is dedicated to the history of Liverpool City Region and its top floor viewing gallery offers some of the most picturesque views of Liverpool's beautiful Pier Head.

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CORONAVIRUS Please ensure that when visiting Liverpool's Pier Head that you adhere to the Government guidelines around social distancing. Please - especially during these times where more visitors are attending outdoor spaces such as these - do not leave litter on the Pier Head. If bins are full, please take your litter home with you.

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Archive sheet 35 - Port of Liverpool building

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Details of records held at the Archives Centre in Liverpool's Maritime Museum about the Port of Liverpool building

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The Cunard is now embarking on another chapter in its already rich history; ambitious new places define the future as it becomes a hub for tomorrow's businesses, offering an environment of inspiration that drives people, culture and ideas.

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The Cunard Building is located at the Pier Head and, along with the neighbouring Liver Building and Port of Liverpool Building, is one of Liverpool's Three Graces, which line the city's waterfront. It is also part of Liverpool's UNESCO designated World Heritage Maritime Mercantile City.

It was designed by William Edward Willink and Philip Coldwell Thicknesse and was constructed between 1914 and 1917. The building's style is a mix of Italian Renaissance and Greek Revival, and its development has been particularly influenced by Italian palace design. The building is noted for the ornate sculptures that adorn its sides.

The building was, from its construction until the 1960s, the headquarters of the Cunard Line, and still retains the name of its original tenants. It was also home to Cunard's passenger facilities for trans-Atlantic journeys that departed from Liverpool. Today, the building is owned by Liverpool City Council and is home to numerous public and private sector organisations, including The British Music Experience.

Why You Should Visit:
While there is no general public access to the building, it can be fully appreciated from all sides via the surrounding public thoroughfares.

Tip:
Consider taking an extra layer of clothing when visiting this attraction, as Liverpool's waterfront can be chilly even on the sunniest days.

Sight description based on Wikipedia.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Liverpool. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from iTunes App Store or Google Play. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Walking Tours in Liverpool, England

Creating your own self-guided walk in Liverpool is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Famously, the hometown (aka the "capital") of the Beatles, Liverpool is more than just the Fab Four. Closely associated with the arts, music, culture, and architecture, as well as industrial innovation, the city is renowned for its multitude of historic landmarks, world-class sport arenas and shopping/entertainment. The abundance of art galleries, national museums and listed attractions in... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles

A wonderful mix of classic and contemporary art styles can be enjoyed at some of the best artistic venues in Liverpool. The city's numerous galleries invite you in. Liverpool is home to numerous extraordinary museums, as well. As the European Capital of Culture in 2008, the city is ready to show you diverse aspects of its historical and maritime past and present. Take the following... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles

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The Cunard Building is located at the Pier Head and, along with the neighbouring Liver Building and Port of Liverpool Building, is one of Liverpool's Three Graces, which line the city's waterfront. It is also part of Liverpool's UNESCO designated World Heritage Maritime Mercantile City.

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3. Information about the Royal Liver Building

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3. Information about the Royal Liver Building

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Our history

In 1907 the Royal Liver Group had over 6,000 employees and with the need for larger premises gave the go-ahead for the construction of a brand new head office. Designed by Walter Aubrey Thomas, the building's radical design was considered by some to be impossible to build. Nevertheless, the foundation stone for the building was laid on 11 May 1908 and just 3 years later, on 19 July 1911, the Royal Liver Building was officially opened by Lord Sheffield.

The building became the first major structure in Britain, and one of the first buildings in the world, to be constructed using reinforced concrete.

Since completion in 1911 it has overlooked as one third of the world famous 'Three Graces' along with the Port of Liverpool Building and the Cunard Building lining the Liverpool waterfront. Atop each clock tower stand the mythical Liver Birds, designed by Carl Bernard Bartels.

The birds are named Bella and Bertie, one looking out to sea to protect the sailors and watching over the city of Liverpool. Legend dictates that should the birds fly away, the city would cease to exist. Now a Grade 1 listed building, The Royal Liver Building has become a world recognisable landmark of Liverpool, with the Liver Birds recognised as the official symbol of our historic city. Liver Suite at the Royal Liver Building offers you the opportunity to share in this history.

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The Royal Liver Building in Liverpool is one of the most prestigious and iconic building in the North of England. The building is Grade 1 listed with extensive historic features both internally and externally. It is occupied throughout 9 floors with live services, heating systems, alarm interface and drainage passing through the work environment. The building houses over 300 occupants and required extensive tenant liaison on a daily basis. Noise limitation were imposed and considerable out of hours work required.

The works consisted of the full refurbishment and restoration of over 43,000 sq ft of existing unoccupied space, to form grade A offices and extensive ancillary space. The site was divided into multiple phases and over 4 levels, basement to 2 floor.

The basement of the existing building was extensively stripped and a new gym, bike storage facility, changing rooms, toilets and showers created, including new drainage. The original central cores were removed and relocated, including lift, stairs, and completely new drainage system (whilst maintaining the existing systems).

At ground floor, the existing central core was removed, including lift and stairs and the main toilet block. This opened up the full length of the building to form a substantial and impressive entrance reception and central arcade of facilities, including café, 2 storey breakout office pods, toilets, etc. The existing cores structure supported the main core tower which was supporting 12 storeys of structure and adjacent floors. An extensive temporary works design was developed to allow the core to be demolished elevation by elevation, allowing a new steel frame support to be installed progressively. The temporary support system needed to support over 300 tonnes of structure.

The existing reception and other occupied areas were kept in operation whilst the full floor area was re-tiled with 2m x 1m tiles (5,000 sq ft)

Extensive restoration of the building ornate plaster moulding was undertaken in order to comply with the Conservation Officers requirements. New offices were created to the perimeter of the main walkway, with extensive full height glazed partitions.

The existing office suites at 1 and 2 floor were fully stripped and completely re-finished to grade A standards, including raised access floors, ceilings, new M&E, including comfort cooling.

A further phase of work is now being introduced to create a full members gym within the basement. This includes a new swimming pool (sub-basement), sauna and spa facilities together with a further members bar and associated facilities.

Before any work could progress, an extensive asbestos removal process was required, with elements identified at every level but in particular basement level. The removal of fire protection material to the existing steel mezzanine decks also required control measures due to the nature of the material involved and the creation of extensive dust/fibre particles.

The project presented many logistical issues requiring extensive planning and client communication.

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THE ROYAL LIVER BUILDING - Triton Construction Ltd

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The Royal Liver Building in Liverpool is one of the most prestigious and iconic building in the North of England. The building is Grade 1 listed with extensive historic features both internally and externally. It is occupied throughout 9 floors with live services, heating systems, alarm interface and drainage passing through the work environment.

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The Port of Liverpool Building is a Grade IIlisted building located at Liverpool's Pier Head. It is one of the city's Three Graces, along with the Cunard Building and Royal Liver Building who together form such a distinctive part of the city's identity.

Here are 8 things you might not know about one of Liverpool's most iconic buildings.

The building is part of Liverpool's UNESCO-designated World Heritage Maritime Mercantile City. The Pier Head is one of six areas throughout the centre of the city, each of which relates to a different component and time from our maritime history. Liverpool was awarded title by UNESCO because it was 'the supreme example of a commercial port at a time of Britain's greatest global influence'.

The Port of Liverpool building was constructed at the very start of the 20th Century. It was the headquarters of Mersey Docks and Harbour Board (MDHB) for 87 years - purpose built for them in fact - until the company relocated to new premises at Seaforth Dock. Purchased by Downing, a Liverpool-based property developer in 2001, between 2006 and 2009 it underwent a major £10m facelift restoring many of the original features of the building.

20,000 sq ft (2,000 m ²) of refurbished office space was completed in 2009. The building has since become once again one of Liverpool's most prestigious business addresses. Tenants include architects and related industries, and notably Rathbone Brothers whose Port of Liverpool Building office is part of the UK's largest wealth management firms.

At 67 metres high and with five floors, this is the fourteenth tallest building in Liverpool. It is a fine example of the Edwardian Baroque style and valued for its mighty dome up top, inspired by an unused design for Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral. Interestingly, the dome was added at the very last minute. It was considered a controversial decision, with board members at the time believing it wasn't the Port Authority's role to 'beautify' Liverpool! It is due to the distinctive dome however that the Port Of Liverpool Building has been compared to famous buildings around the world including St Paul's Cathedral and Belfast City Hall. The building itself is almost a perfect rectangular shape with canted corners typical of Baroque architecture, a hexagonal turret on each topped with stone smaller domed cupolas.

The ornamental detail in the building's interior and outside displays many maritime references including a compass, anchors, seahorses, ships' bells and shells. The interior is luxurious and expensively furnished, boasting Spanish mahogany, Danzig woodwork, bronze, white marble, and grey granite. The cost of the building plus furnishings and fees added up to £350,000 in 1907. That's over £43million in today's money, and approximately 25% of that was spent on decorations and fittings alone.

During the Second World War Liverpool was repeatedly bombed by the German Luftwaffe. A bomb was dropped and exploded in the Port Of Liverpool Building's basement on its eastern side during the May Blitz of 1941. The building is made of a reinforced concrete frame clad in Portland Stone, making it more fire resistant, meaning that thankfully most of it was able to be re-occupied after temporary repairs. After the war the building was fully restored, the money spent exceeding the original construction costs.

The interior is so grand and luxurious it has been used as a film set in several productions. Credits including the Danny Boyle-directed and Richard Curtis-scripted Yesterday from 2019, a film which imagines a world where the Beatles never existed in the first place! The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes TV series, made for Granada, was also filmed there.

The public can go inside the building on the ground floor. You can admire the granite staircase, the designed detail around the elevators, white marble walls and stained glass windows which continue the familiar nautical theme. In addition, Mrs Danvers Café offers delicious afternoon teas with pasties sandwiches, quiche and more, and cream teas. You can enjoy their treats at home by ordering through LIDS Liverpool Independent Delivered Services who deliver the best products from your local independent suppliers.

Explore our Liverpool history archives and take a trip back in time through the ages of the city here.

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8 things you might not know about the iconic Port of Liverpool Building - The Guide Liverpool

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The Port of Liverpool Building is a Grade IIlisted building located at Liverpool's Pier Head. It is one of the city's Three Graces, along with the Cunard Building and Royal Liver Building who together form such a distinctive part of the city's identity.