Basic Site Details Name: | Cunard Building | Town, district or village: | Pier Head | City or county: | Liverpool | Country: | England | Parish: | | Status: | | Grid ref: | | Notes: | Listed Grade II* and one of the “Three Graces” on Liverpool’s iconic waterfront, now a World Heritage Site.
Willink and Thicknesse were appointed architects for the Cunard Building in 1911, conjointly with Arthur Davies of Mewes and Davies (qv). However, the respective roles of the two architectural practices remains unclear. Seemingly it was Davies, acting as consultant to Cunard, who determined that the design should be inspired by the Farnese Palace in Rome, designed by Antonio da Sangallo and completed by Michelangelo in 1544. Drawings prepared by Davies showing the building in almost its final form have also been found. Generally the building is attributed to Willink and Thicknesse and Davies can have played no significant role following the outbreak of World War I when he was commissioned into the army.
| Building Type ClassificationThe building is classified under the following categories: | | Classification | Original classification? | Notes | | Office | | Cunard head office until 1960's | | Sea terminal | | Originally parts of the building were used as the passenger terminal for Cunard's Liverpool sailings |
Street AddressesThe following street addresses are associated with this building: | | Address | Main entrance? | Notes | | Brunswick Street | | |
EventsThe following date-based events are associated with this building: | | From | To | Event type | Notes | | 1911 | | | Appointment of architects | | December 1912 | | Build/construction | Work commenced on foundations and basements | | 1914 | 1916 | Build/construction | Work on superstructure commenced about February 1914 | | June 1916 | | Opened | Building opened without formal ceremony |
PeopleDesign and ConstructionThe following individuals or organisations have carried out design/construction work. Where architects or practices worked together, matching letters appear beside their names in the Partnership Group column. | | Name | Role | Partnership Group | From | To | Notes | | Mewes & Davis | | a | 1911 | 1914 | Arthuer Davies, consultant architect until outbreak of war | | Philip Coldwell Thicknesse | | b | 1911 | 1916 | | | Willink & Thicknesse | | b | 1911 | 1916 | |
ClientsThe following individuals or organisations have commissioned work on this building/design: | | Name | Notes | | Cunard Steamship Company | |
ReferencesPeriodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this building: | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Building News | 21 June 1916 | | | p611 and illustration |
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