Royal Liver Building

About

The Royal Liver Building, also called the Liver Building, is a striking Grade I listed landmark that crowns Liverpool’s waterfront at Pier Head. It stands beside the Port of Liverpool and Cunard buildings, forming the famous “Three Graces” that define the city’s skyline. Erected between 1908 and 1911 with reinforced‑concrete construction, the 98.2 m tall tower was originally the headquarters of the Royal Liver Assurance group. The building’s two 18‑foot copper Liver birds, designed by Carl Bernard Bartels, perch atop the twin clock towers and have become an icon for the city. In addition to the iconic birds, the structure houses the world’s largest electronically‑driven clocks, with four 7.6‑metre faces that play a subtle musical chime each hour. In 2019, a new visitor attraction – RLB360 – opened inside the tower, offering a guided tour of the West Clock Tower, the clock mechanisms and the richly decorated public lobbies. Visitors can walk through the historic banking hall, see the original safety‑steel vaults and experience the building’s interior design, which blends Art‑Nouveau motifs with 20th‑century modernism. Today the building remains a popular spot for photographers and history enthusiasts alike, and it continues to serve as a bustling commercial office space for over 19 companies, including Everton FC and the Royal Liver Building 360 visitor centre. The blend of architectural grandeur, cultural significance and ongoing commercial use makes the Royal Liver Building a must‑visit destination for anyone exploring Liverpool’s modern heritage.

At a glance

• Typical visit: about 2 hours