Port of Liverpool Building and stone balustrade, iron gates and piers

The Port of Liverpool Building is an office building dating from 1907, designed by Arnold Thornely. It is constructed of Portland stone and stands on a basement with five main storeys, encompassing 13 bays with prominent canted corner bays and returns of 11 bays. The lower levels exhibit rusticated detailing with round-headed windows. The second, central, and twelfth bays project forward. The ground floor windows are round-headed, while first-floor windows are set within eared architraves. A recessed section behind an attached Ionic colonnade, featuring an entablature and a central open pediment depicting bulls eye and dolphins, highlights the second and third floors. The third floor showcases three-light windows with colonnettes supporting open segmental pediments and incorporating balustraded balconies. Above, the fourth floor has three-light windows with colonnettes, and the corner bays are distinguished by Diocletian windows. The attic features round-headed windows punctuated by projecting, panelled blocks.

The main entrance is within a tunnel-vaulted recess adorned with a keystone and pediment, flanked by statues on plinths depicting ships within cornucopias. Octagonal towers define the ends of the building, crowned with tall glazed drums and coupled Ionic columns supporting domes. The central dome rises from a two-stage drum: the first stage presents an Ionic colonnade and four projecting aedicules containing niches, while the second stage is recessed behind a balustrade. A copper dome tops the structure, complete with a lantern featuring four aedicules and an obelisk. The interior features a full-height octagonal hall, capped by a coffered dome, with round-arched openings leading to galleries. Iron railings define the galleries, alongside solid balconies equipped with lamp standards spaced across alternate floors. The floor is paved with mosaic tiles.

Two square stone piers stand opposite the main entrance, adorned with dentilled cornices and globes displaying gilded continents. A stone balustrade extends across the entire front elevation, curving from the entrance piers and continuing around the building, with stone lamp holders positioned at intervals resembling naval monuments with draped urns. Four iron gates are set between piers. Additional iron gates and piers are located at each end of the forecourt.