Oriel Chambers, Victorian office building in Water Street, Liverpool, England.
Description
Oriel Chambers is a five-storey office building on Water Street in central Liverpool that fills the entire street frontage with its projecting windows. The construction uses a cast-iron frame that supports large glass surfaces while the side sections are built from limestone masonry.
History
Peter Ellis designed the building in 1864 and used techniques that later influenced the construction of skyscrapers in America. The structure met with criticism when completed but was recognized as an important monument in 1951.
Culture
The name refers to the projecting bay windows that run across the entire facade and bring more daylight into the rooms behind. Legal chambers have occupied the offices since the 1960s and shape how this part of the business district functions.
Practical
The building stands on Water Street not far from the town hall and can be seen from the outside during business hours. The busy location allows easy access on foot from the waterfront area.
Did you know?
The glass surface occupies about half of the street facade which was considered wasteful at the time and made the architect a controversial pioneer. Ellis could hardly win any commissions afterwards and died in relative obscurity.
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