| The Pier Head is the World Heritage site
in Liverpool, that features three striking buildings known as the Three
Graces: The Royal Liver Building;
The Cunard Building; and
The Port of Liverpool Building.
The buildings form a row along the north bank of the River Mersey, flanked
by several miles of docks.
In July 2004, plans to build a Fourth Grace designed by architect
Will Alsop were abandoned owing to escallating costs. The construction of
a fouth grace has been discussed many times over the last few years, but
no firm plans or funding has yet been established.
On the river is a floating landing stage that serves the Mersey
Ferries. In the past, the much larger Prince's Landing Stage was situated
at the Pier Head to serve the trans-Atlantic liner service.
The Pier Head also served as a major tram and then bus interchange.
There are several memorials at the Pier Head including those to
Captain J. F. Walker and to the engineers who heroically remained at their
posts during the sinking of the RMS Titanic.
The Pierhead stands between the North and South docks (Albert Dock)
and is an important Liverpool landmark, being the home to the most
recognizable Liverpool buildings in the World,, known locally as the
"Three Graces", the Royal Liver building, Cunard building and the Port of
Liverpool building. The river wall, fronting the Pierhead, was first built
to enclose the George's Dock (opened 1771, closed 1900) this consequently
being filled in to enable the construction of the Royal Liver Building.
Right up to present day the Pierhead is constantly changing with a
proposal currently being considered to link the Leeds & Liverpool canal to
the Albert Dock. This would see the construction of the access canal
directly spanning the front of the "Three Graces"
The Liver Building was built completed in 1911. The Cunard Building
in 1916 and The Port of Liverpool building in 1907.
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