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- Albert Dock is the largest group of Grade I listed buildings in Britain
-1.25 million square feet - and was built to the design of
engineer/architect Jesse Hartley. Plans were submitted in 1839, approved
in 1841 and the Dock was officially opened on 30 July 1846 by Prince
Albert.
- Albert Dock was the first enclosed, non-combustible dock warehouse
system in the world and the first structure in Britain to be built
entirely of cast iron, brick and stone. In 1848 the world's first
hydraulic warehouse hoists were installed.
- The Dock was built to accommodate sailing ships with up to 1,000 tons'
cargo capacity but by the turn of the century only 7% of ships using the
Port were sailing ships. The Dock's days were numbered and it was
finally closed in 1972.
- The refurbishment of Albert Dock was carried out by
Arrowcroft Group PLC, through its subsidiary, the Albert Dock Co
Ltd. Plans were prepared in 1982, work began in 1983 and the first phase
was opened in 1984 in time for the arrival of the Tall Ships Race and
the International Garden Festival.
- The official re-opening ceremony was performed by HRH Prince Charles on
24 May 1988. The original building cost was £514,475-8s-ld. The present
day insurance valuation of the buildings, however, is in excess of £250
million.
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Notes
