Liverpool is a large city and metropolitan area in Merseyside, a county in North West England.
It’s the fifth-largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom with over 2.24 million inhabitants and is renowned for its remarkable architectural landscape.
What’s remarkable about Liverpool is that it only had a population of around 500 until the 16th century. the population didn’t start booming until the 17th century.
The port of the city resulted in increased trade in the 18th century and many of the city’s remarkable buildings were constructed in the 19th century as a result of this increased wealth.
The city has had a cosmopolitan flair to it for nearly 2 centuries and it was referred to as “the New York of Europe” by 1851. Yes, Liverpool exceeded London and Manchester in several areas during this period.
In this article, you’ll discover some of the most famous buildings in Liverpool, feats of architecture that you simply have to see when you plan to visit the city.
1. Liverpool Cathedral
Liverpool Cathedral is an immense Anglican Cathedral that serves as the main seat of the Anglican Diocese and the Bishop of Liverpool.
The church was constructed in an elevated location known as St James’s Mount. This makes the huge building in Liverpool even more impressive as the tower stands 100.8 meters (331 feet) tall.
The Gothic Revival building was completed between 1904 and 1978. With a length of 188.67 meters (619 feet), it’s the second-longest church in the world after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
Official website: Liverpool Cathedral
2. Royal Albert Dock
The Royal Albert Dock is a historic complex of docks and warehouses that was completed in 1846. It’s located along the River Mersey in the heart of Liverpool.
The buildings are of historic significance because these were the first buildings in Britain that were solely constructed of cast iron, brick, and stone, without the use of structural wood.
This importance has been recognized as all the buildings are listed as Grade I buildings in the United Kingdom. They are a very popular tourist attraction in Liverpool.
Official website: Royal Albert Dock
3. Liver Building
The Liver Building or “Royal LIver Building” is another Grade I listed building in the heart of Liverpool. It’s located at a popular riverside location known as “Pier Head.”
The building was completed in 1911 using reinforced concrete after being commissioned by the Royal Liver Assurance group. This company had been headquartered in the city since 1850.
The building stands 103.7 meters (340 feet) tall to the top of the sculptural birds that were added to the top of the towers. This means it’s as tall as a skyscraper and the 4th-tallest building in Liverpool.
Official website: Royal Liver Building
4. St George’s Hall
St George’s Hall is a huge Neoclassical building that is situated right across the Lime Street railway station. It’s the centerpiece of St. George’s Quarter in central Liverpool.
The building was completed in 1854 and is another example of the prestigious projects that were completed during this period in the city’s history. It features law courts and a concert hall.
The building features elements of both Greek and Roman temples. Another fascinating element of the building is the large number of sculptural reliefs that decorate the structure.
Official website: St George’s Hall
5. Port of Liverpool Building
The Port of Liverpool Building is the epitome of Baroque Revival architecture in Liverpool. It was completed between 1903 and 1907 in the Edwardian Baroque architectural style that was popular at the time.
It’s also located at Pier Head, the waterfront area in central Liverpool. It was constructed using reinforced concrete and is clad with the distinctive Portland Stone.
The building served as the headquarters of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board for 87 years between 1907 and 1994. It was acquired by a property developed and completely refurbished in the early 21st century.
Official website: Port of Liverpool Building (Historic England)
6. Cunard Building
The Cunard Building is the third building in Liverpool located at Pier Head. Together with the Royal Liver Building and the Port of Liverpool Building, these are referred to as “The Three Graces.”
The building was completed between 1914 and 1917 and features a Renaissance architectural design. This is emphasized by the rusticated ground floor and the harmonious elements that define Renaissance buildings.
The building was constructed to serve as the headquarters of the Cunard Line, a British cruise line company. Although the building still bears the name of its previous owner, today it’s owned by the Liverpool City Council and houses the British Music Experience.
Official website: Cunard Building
7. Liverpool Town Hall
Liverpool Town Hall is a Grade I listed building and is considered to be one of the greatest surviving examples of an 18th-century town hall in the country. The original building was completed way back in 1754.
The original town hall was designed by John Wood, the Elder (1704-1754), one of the most renowned English architects of the 18th century who also designed the famous Circus in Bath.
Unfortunately, a fire destroyed this building in 1795 and it was largely rebuilt by 1802. The dome that tops the structure was the most prominent addition to the newly designed building in Liverpool.
Official website: Liverpool Town Hall
8. Victoria Building
The Victoria Building is a building that is owned by the University of Liverpool and which is another prominent example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture in Liverpool.
The building was designed by Alfred Waterhouse (1830-1905), the architect who also designed the Natural History Museum in London and the magnificent Manchester Town Hall.
The structure was built to serve as the main building of the University of Liverpool but was transformed into the Victoria Gallery & Museum in 2008. This free museum houses a permanent collection of artworks produced by British artists.
Official website: Victoria Gallery & Museum
9. Museum of Liverpool
The Museum of Liverpool is located just south of the Three Graces at Pier Head. It was constructed on a small area on the Liverpool Waterfront that is known as Mann Island.
The museum is dedicated to the history of the city and its people. The exhibitions are divided into 4 different parts referred to as the Great Port, the Global City, the People’s Republic, and the Wondrous Place.
The museum opened its doors in 2011 and it is housed in one of the most stunning buildings in Liverpool. It cost £72 million to build and features a total of 8,000 square meters (86,111 square feet) of exhibition space. With over 6,000 objects on display, you can learn all about the city of Liverpool right here.
Official website: Museum of Liverpool
10. Radio City Tower
Radio City Tower is an amazing tower that is commonly referred to as “St. John’s Beacon.” It’s a combination of a radio tower and observation tower and a popular tourist attraction in the city.
The tower was completed in 1969 and has dominated the Liverpool skyline ever since. It stands 138 meters (453 feet), a height that makes it only slightly shorter than the West Tower, the tallest building in Liverpool at 140 meters (459 feet).
At such a height, it’s not surprising that this is by far the best spot in Liverpool to get amazing 360-degree views of the city and all of Merseyside, especially considering its central location.
Official website: St John’s Beacon
