1904-2004 One Hundred Years Later - How Far Have We Progressed?
To remind current policymakers and conservationists of the journey which has led to the rich architectural tapestry of Liverpool, we need only look to our past. Not in the usual fashion of ad nauseam recitation of quality of materials and craftsmanship (as if, strangely these are absent in contemporary buildings) but rather Edwardian Liverpool's own subtext, of forward-thinking, ambition: Progress.
This was their own contemporary desire for Liverpool to reach new heights of commerce, commercial pride and civic identity at a time when Liverpool was perhaps at its apotheosis in terms of trade and power. Remember that it was also a new city, its town charter might have been granted by King John in 1207 but Liverpool had to wait until 1882 for City Status.
Given the current trends towards tall buildings, scale, and preservation of existing townscapes, what would have happened if the same principles had been applied around 1904?
What follows is our interpretation of the effect on Liverpool's built environment under current planning ideologies, it portrays a city where not one of our signature landmark structures could have been built.
| Building | Year 'Constructed' | Objection | |
| Royal Liver Building | 1911 |
Too tall
at 14 stories, obstructs view of St Nicholas' Church and historic city
core. Obstructs view from Northern docks southward to Port of Liverpool building.
|
 Royal Liver Building |
| Port of Liverpool Building | 1907 |
Not 'in harmony'
with brick construction of adjacent Albert Dock warehouse (1847).
|
 Port of Liverpool Building |
| Cunard Building | 1917 |
Multi-storey
form in Itailianate style in our view is not in keeping with the traditional
Liverpool aesthetic of stucco-rendered Victorian office buildings.
|
 view towards Cunard Building |
| George's Dock Building | 1931 |
Art Deco Style totally unsympathetic to the Edwardian buildings along the historic Pier Head. Such a high profile location as adjacent to the 'three graces' necessitates form and function of the highest order. The principle of providing mere ventilation access to the tunnels would in our view be better served elsewhere in the city, away from the waterfront group of buildings.
|
 George's Dock Building |
| Anglican Cathedral | 1904 |
The positioning
of the Cathedral on St James Mount establishes a precedent for tall buidings
in this area which may have a detrimental effect on the skyline given
the high topography of this area. Too Tall, at 331ft high this would have an unacceptable impact on the historic townscape in the city.
|
 Anglican Cathedral |
| Martins Bank Building | 1932 |
The demolition of the existing early Victorian buildings by along the northern edge of Water Street would be yet another example of commercial development (in this case a Bank HQ) riding roughshod over Liverpool's heritage. A building of such a scale is totally out of character with the existing buildings and Liverpool's fine Georgian Town Hall.
|
 Martins Bank Building |
Our present city
then was shaped by the 20th century - not the Nineteenth.
Must we then kill the chance of any having any great buildings from the 21st?
Can we please wake
up Liverpool, the time to support the New, the Big and the Bold is NOW.
All text and Images © August 2004, Downtown Liverpool. All rights reserved.