Cunard Building

Cunard Building
Cunard Building
General information
Type	Office building
Architectural style	Italian Renaissance and Greek Revival
Location	Liverpool, England
Coordinates	53°24′15″N 2°59′43″W / 53.4041°N 2.9954°W
Current tenants	Variety of public and private sector firms
Construction started	1914
Completed	1917
Owner	Liverpool City Council
Technical details
Structural system	Reinforced concrete with Portland Stone cladding
Design and construction
Architect(s)	William Edward Willink and Philip Coldwell Thicknesse
Main contractor	Holland, Hannen & Cubitts
Designations
Listed Building – Grade II*
Official name	Cunard Building
Designated	12 July 1966
Reference no.	1052283

The Cunard Building is a Grade II* listed building in Liverpool, England. It is located at the Pier Head and along with the neighbouring Royal Liver Building and Port of Liverpool Building is one of Liverpool's Three Graces, which line the city's waterfront. It is also part of Liverpool's former UNESCO designated World Heritage, the Maritime Mercantile City.

It was designed by William Edward Willink and Philip Coldwell Thicknesse and was constructed between 1914 and 1917. The building's style is a mix of Italian Renaissance and Greek Revival, and its development has been particularly influenced by Italian palace design. The building is noted for the ornate sculptures that adorn its sides.

The building was, from its construction until the 1960s, the headquarters of the Cunard Line, and the building still retains the name of its original owner. It was also home to Cunard's passenger facilities for trans-Atlantic journeys departing from Liverpool. Today, the building is owned by Liverpool City Council and is home to numerous public and private sector organisations, including The British Music Experience. It is located diagonally across the Strand from Albion House, the former headquarters of White Star Line.