Cunard Building

The Cunard Building is a six-storey office structure at Pier Head in Liverpool with a reinforced concrete frame clad in Portland stone. The facade combines Greek columns with Renaissance elements and defines the waterfront area alongside two other landmark structures.

Construction lasted from 1914 to 1917 and the structure served as headquarters for the Cunard Line shipping company. In the 1960s the company relocated its headquarters to Southampton and left the premises.

The exterior sculptures represent different peoples and British allies from the First World War, showing the international connections of maritime trade through architectural design. These figures recall the time when the city served as a gateway to the world and people from all continents arrived or departed here.

Secure vaults inside preserve historical maritime documents, including original ship blueprints. The upper floors now serve as modern office spaces and are not open to the public.

During the Second World War the basement levels received additional reinforcement to serve as an air raid shelter for residents and office workers. These underground rooms provided protection during bombing raids on the city's port facilities.

Location: Liverpool

Inception: 1917

Architects: William Edward Willink, Philip Coldwell Thicknesse, Arthur Joseph Davis

Architectural style: Greek Revival architecture, Renaissance Revival architecture

GPS coordinates: 53.40510,-2.99540

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:27