The Port of Liverpool Building
Our History
Where The Port of Liverpool Building started
Designed in an Edwardian Baroque style, the Port of Liverpool building was a based on a design that was unused from the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. The large central dome was introduced into the design which was not part of the original plans but is now a statement part of the POL building.
The building was designed by Sir Arnold Thornely and F.B. Hobbs and was developed in collaboration with Briggs and Wolstenholme. It was constructed between 1904 and 1907, with a reinforced concrete frame that is clad in Portland Stone.
The Port of Liverpool building was constructed as a visible symbol of Liverpool, which is why it is one of Liverpool’s three graces.
Listed as a grade 2 building, it is specially protected by Heritage England. The symbolic building was designed and constructed between 1904 and 1907.
Construction work during 1904 - 1907, It is approximately rectangular in shape with canted corners that are topped with stone cupolas. At 220 feet (67 m) the building was the tallest building in Liverpool when built, and as of 2022 is the fourteenth tallest.
It was completed in 1907 at a cost of approximately £250,000, although when the cost of furniture, fittings and professional fees was taken into account, the total cost was nearer £350,000.
Staff from the MDHB headquarters officially moved into the building on 15 July 1907, with staff from departments located in other areas of the city moving in throughout the rest of the year.
It was home to the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board (MDHB) for 87 years and administered dock facilities of the Port of Liverpool.
Inside the building, you will see the gorgeous stained glass windows scattered around the building with names of the countries that used to use the port.
During the Blitz in the Second World War, most of the stained glass windows were destroyed, except for two which remain here to this day. Even though it was temporarily repaired, the building went through a full restoration after the war.
The Mersey Docks and Harbour Committee (was MDHB) moved to Seaforth in 1994 and the Port of Liverpool is now based there with two terminals.
The original Port of Liverpool Building is still standing on the waterfront in between the Albert Dock and Kings Dock.
Currently the building is 165,000 sqft. of offices with some iconic tenants. It still stands today as one of Liverpool's most iconic buildings. It attracts a lot of media attention too and is lit up in a rainbow of colours, depending on the occasion and to show support and solidarity with the people of Liverpool.
We have some exciting plans coming up soon!
If you would like to find out more about our future plans, please click the button below.
