On my to do list of must sees in liverpool was the Three Graces - The fundamental international symbol for Liverpool, is the Royal Liver Building, as well as The Cunard and the Port of Liverpool buildings. They are all side by side located on The Pier head in Liverpool. Stunning architecture, all majestic in their own right. read more

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This is the first building you see when your ship arrives at the cruise port. One of the famous Three Graces it stands out more than the other two. On top of the two towers of the building are statues of Liver Birds which are said to be good luck to sailors and the city. probably one of the most iconic buildings in Liverpool. It is a must see when you visit. read more

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There's something about landmarks that means you can't walk past them without being aware you're walking past a landmark. Say you were sat in a McDonald's playing with a little plastic model of Hamm from Toy Story 3 when Al Jolson walked in. Could you continue with the merriment and not be constantly aware that Al Jolson was there? I thought not. I also really wished that example was based on a real experience. The Royal Liver Building is arguably Liverpool's most iconic landmark. Built in 1911 and one of the first in the world to use reinforced concrete, it was the city's tallest building for fifty-four years until St John's Beacon overtook it. As for the clock faces that make the building's facade even more distinct, they're larger than Big Ben's and started moving at the exact time King George was coronated. It is said that if the Liver Birds perched on top of this building ever fly away, the city will fall. This seems a bit odd because they're both a) inanimate and b) chained to the domes to stop this from ever occurring. It makes us look like imbeciles but I'm afraid that last point was not a joke. read more

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There is no other building on Merseyside that has come to be as internationally recognised nor symbolic of the city than the Liver Building. Designed by Walter Aubrey Thomas and completed in 1911, the building's construction coincided with the city's greatest era of commercial prosperity and sense of confidence as it was considered an impossible design and one that subsequently inspired other architects, particularly those in New York, to undertake such bold designs in light of new materials such as reinforced concrete. It's an unusual looking building with a very distinct design that is worth all visitors taking a trip to see up close. read more

Royal Liver Building - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Liverpool, XMS

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The Royal Liver Building is one of Liverpool's iconic Three Graces. Built in 1911 it sits majestically on the Liverpool waterfront. At the top are two towers and on top of each there sits a Liver Bird statue, a Liverpool icon in itself. The story goes that if these Liver Birds every fly away then the city of Liverpool will fall. I even have a plush Liver Bird which was bought for me about 25 years ago. The birds are apparently a cross between an eagle and a cormorant, a bird which is a sign of good luck to sailors. Each tower also has a clock face larger than those on big Ben. These clocks started moving at the exact time of King George's coronation. They are the largest electronically driven clocks in England. The Royal Liver Building was England's first skyscraper and stands 13 floors tall. It was the first building to use reinforced concrete in its construction. The building itself is still in use today, most notably by Royal Liver Insurance which has always had it's offices here. It is a stunning building which is definitely worth a visit. read more

One third of the iconic "Three Graces" and the fundamental international symbol for Liverpool, the Royal Liver Building is unmistakable. Together with the Cunard and the Port of Liverpool buildings, the Liver Building stands majestically, overlooking the Pier Head, the mythical liver birds atop watching over the city and the River Mersey. Legend maintains that the flight of these birds would bring bad luck to the city. The Liver Building displays two huge clock faces, the dials are reportedly the largest in Britain. The clock faces are larger than those of Big Ben and are clearly visible from the river. Apparently the time was started at the exact moment of the coronation of George V in 1911. The building currently houses Royal Liver Assurance, and generally invites little exploration; tours used to be conducted here, however I believe they ceased post 9/11 and 7/7 for fear of terrorism at such a significant location, whether these tours have resumed I'm not sure. They definitely should! But the Liver Building is worth a look even if you can't/ don't go inside: it's beautiful; sit in its shadow and marvel at the magnitude of this stunning Grade I listed building, once known as "Britain's first skyscraper," or board the legendary Mersey ferry and watch the panorama of the world renowned waterfront unfold as you head across the water. read more

RECOMMENDED! Worth a Visit! My wife and I live in the Los Angeles area and recently visited Liverpool on a port-of-call on a Disney cruise. I work for a multi-national corporate real estate company, which has offices in Liverpool, and my local colleagues highly recommended a trip to the building for a tour. I have to say, that the tour staff is AMAZING!!! So knowledgeable, friendly, hospitable, and wonderful hosts. If you happen to be reading this, THANK YOU AGAIN! :) Liverpool has a long and colorful history, and the Liver Building was there for so much of it. WWI, WWII, the Beatles, and Everton & Liverpool football. Make sure to visit! read more

This is a review not regarding the use of the Liver buildings but of their aesthetic value and importance to the people of Liverpool. These buildings are a universal symbol of the city and something which is instantly recognisable to people the world over. The two buildings side by side do a fantastic job of representing togetherness and a sense of community within the city and this is something which is vitally important to the residents of Merseyside. On the whole these majestic buildings do a fantastic job of showing just how special Liverpool can be as a city and it reflects the personality of the inhabitants. read more

This is a special place in liverpool because everyone knows it, its such a good looking building.Liverpool just would be the same without it on the shore front. Its has been open since 1911 !!! And is without a doubt one of Liverpool most recognisable landmarks in the city of Liverpool and is home to two fabled Liverbirds that watch over the city and the sea. awwww Inside is generally offices and people come and go from there working, there are alot of banks offices and lawers inside. read more

The Royal Liver Building is arguably the most famous building in Liverpool. It was designed in 1908 by Walter A. Thomas and was completed in 1911. Royal Liver Building, Liverpool At the top of the building, sat on each of the two towers are the mythical Liver Birds, the symbol of Liverpool. They are 18 feet tall, have a total wing span of 24 feet and are made of copper. Local legend has it that if they fly away, Liverpool will cease to exist. The Liver Birds are a cross between an eagle and a cormorant (the bird of good luck to sailors). A German sculptor called Carl Bernard Bartels, who was living in England, designed them. When the Great War broke out, Carl Bernard Bartels was arrested as a German citizen and imprisoned on the Isle of Man. The City of Liverpool removed all reference to his achievements and at the end of the war, despite having a wife in London, he was sent back to Germany. Royal Liver Building clock face The clocks, 25 feet in diameter, are bigger than the clocks in London's Big Ben and are the largest electrically driven clocks in the United Kingdom. They were built to give mariners the most accurate local time and are said to be accurate to within thirty seconds per year. The Royal Liver Building is 90 metres (295 feet) in height and has thirteen floors. When it was completed in 1911, the Royal Liver Building was Britain's first skyscraper. It was built using a revolutionary steel and concrete structure. So stand in awe because despite all the millions invested in the city the Liver Building is still the most famous part of Liverpool to us and our visitors. read more

Such a stunning iconic building that you definitely cannot miss when visiting Liverpool. Right on the docks this beautiful building is probably the most photographed object in the City! read more

I'm surprised that no-one has yet mentioned that the Liver birds on their towering perches are male and female. The female is looking out to sea, waiting for the safe return of seafarers, the male looking toward the city, checking if the pubs are open yet!!! read more

My Grandfather JOSEPH FOWLER COWPER b. 1860, in ACASTER MALBIS, YORKSHIRE d. 1932 was a partner with a THOMAS ROWE in THE COMBINED CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY of 23 Strutt Street, Manchester. This company constructed the foundations of this ROYAL LIVER BUILDING, using early combined concrete experience Joseph had learned whilst in the USA. They also built several strongrooms for a Manchester bank ,THE DISTRICT or THE MIDLAND BANK. During the time of the bombing of Liverpool in WWII , I remember my mother, his daughter JOSEPHINE, showing me a metal plate which described this work done c.1908 . It was located on the side of a ground level wall of this wonderful building; I believe it was a bronze one and is not anymore in position. Probably removed for salvage during the war. I will be very interested to learn from anyone who can tell me of this or other constructors of, now over 100 year old impressive fine building . The birds atop where the last sign of Blighty some troops saw as they sailed from The Mersey to war. David Malcolm Eaton. deaton@zbzoom.net. read more