Don’t argue with crowds.
They seem to know best. Whatever the time of day, one heads down to Pier Head in Liverpool, there are people. Often lots of them. Many are taking selfies with the Fab Four statue, and many are dotted around, shooting and filming the Royal Liver Building.
It’s not difficult to understand why – it is beautiful with its clock face larger than Big Ben and its two cormorants (Liver birds) looking out across the Mersey and city, protecting both. It has other interesting facets too – once, we are told, the third tallest building in Europe and constructed from reinforced concrete. It stands next to the Cunard Building and Port of Liverpool Building, all known collectively as the Three Graces, providing a visually beautiful impression of Liverpool’s waterfront.
Everyone loves a list so here’s a list of 10 quirky facts about the Royal Liver Building:
- It opened in 1911 and was built as the headquarters of the Royal Liver Assurance Society.
- It was Europe’s first large reinforced concrete building, making it a groundbreaking feat of engineering.
- At 98.2 metres (322 feet), it was the tallest building in the UK when completed.
- The two Liver Birds are (now) called Bella and Bertie..
- Each Liver Bird stands around 5.5 metres (18 feet) tall and weighs approximately four tonnes.
- Each clock minute hand is over 4 metres (13 feet) long, making them visible for miles around.
- The building has no traditional foundations. It stands on thousands of tonnes of concrete spread across the underlying sandstone, an innovative solution for the waterfront location.
- It survived both World Wars, despite Liverpool being one of the UK’s most heavily bombed cities during the Second World War. If you want proof of the Blitz bombing, wander up Bold Street to see St Luke’s “the Bombed Out Church”
- The building has appeared in numerous TV programmes and films, making it one of Britain’s most recognisable landmarks.
- You can now visit the towers. A visitor experience includes access to the 10th and 15th floors, panoramic views across Liverpool, and a chance to stand beneath the iconic Liver Birds.
We work regularly with passive fire protection across Liverpool
Such longevity, stature and beauty deserves accolades and when the Block Compliance team are assigned passive fire protection projects in Liverpool, the Royal Liver Building always draws the eye, just as it does for natives and tourists.
Liverpool, like its neighbour Manchester, is a city we know well – we have completed work in northern suburbs like Waterloo (named after the battle) and Seaforth (famous for its red cranes lining the docks there); southern areas like the grand Princes Road, Toxteth; and city centre sites like All Six House in Derby Square (next to the courts and grand statue of Queen Victoria).
Close by is One Park West on The Strand – opposite the Royal Albert Dock and close to the Three Graces; as well as 92-94 Wood Street, a heritage building in the historic Ropewalks area (Wood Street runs parallel to the iconic Bold Street).
So the next time you’re in Liverpool, capturing its iconic landmarks and marvelling at the city’s undoubted beauty, think of us – a team who keep residents, tenants, businesses safe with our expert passive fire protection services.
Expert advice from an expert team
If you’re responsible for a commercial, heritage or residential building and need expert advice on passive fire protection, fire door inspections or compartmentation surveys, contact Block Compliance Ltd today. Our experienced team helps property owners, landlords and facilities managers protect people, preserve buildings and achieve compliance with confidence.
We’re contracted for numerous ongoing passive fire protection developments, across the length and breadth of England, including the sublime city of Liverpool.
Email our team today: info@blockcompliance.net
