WEDNESDAY WHEREABOUTS: THE FIRST GRACE!

Wednesday Whereabouts returns with a look at 1/3 of Liverpool’s iconic waterfront – The Port of Liverpool Building.

The first of Liverpool’s world-famous ‘Three Graces’ to be constructed on the waterfront, the Port of Liverpool Building now sits alongside the Liver and our very own Cunard Building gazing out across the Mersey. Completed in 1907, the Grade II* listed building was originally built as the headquarters of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board and remains a defining feature of Liverpool’s skyline. 

Architecturally, the building is a prominent example of Edwardian Baroque Revival, constructed using Portland stone and characterised by its grand scale, classical detailing and distinctive dome. Interestingly, it was designed by the same architect as Belfast City Hall, and the two buildings share striking similarities in style and form, meaning the Port of Liverpool Building can convincingly double as a Belfast backdrop on screen. 

Today, the building combines historic grandeur with modern functionality and is widely regarded as one of Liverpool’s premier business addresses. Its impressive architecture, sweeping staircases, period corridors and expansive office spaces provide a versatile backdrop for film and television productions. The scale, character and authenticity of the interiors allow it to double convincingly for a range of settings, from corporate headquarters and government buildings to period dramas and international locations. 

 The building has welcomed a wide range of high-profile productions over the years, recently transforming into MI5 headquarters for ITV’s Betrayal and the providing the grandeur of a 70’s New York penthouse fit for the one of the world’s wealthiest women in A Woman of Substance. 

 For the team behind the PoL, one of the most memorable aspects of working with productions is “seeing the transformation of familiar spaces into entirely new on-screen worlds. Watching crews reinterpret the building, sometimes for different eras or even different cities, is always fascinating. There is also a real sense of energy when a production is taking place for them. “The collaboration between the production crews and our on-site team is something we take great pride in.  Balancing the smooth running of filming with the day-to-day operations of a busy commercial building can present challenges, but our team works hard to ensure everything runs seamlessly.  It’s incredibly rewarding to see the finished result on screen”. 

As they say, “Liverpool City Region has become one of the UK’s most sought-after filming destinations due to its architectural diversity, strong creative infrastructure and proactive support for the screen industry. The Port of Liverpool Building plays a key role in that appeal. As one of the City’s most recognisable heritage assets, it offers productions a prestigious and architecturally significant location right on the waterfront. Its combination of history, scale and adaptability perfectly complements Liverpool’s broader offer as a dynamic and film-friendly city.”   

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