Liverpool's Georgian heritage living on the eve of destruction

Jan 29 2008 by Peter Elson, Liverpool Daily Post

Georgian splendour

THE inviting sight of a crystal chandelier glittering through the glass panes of a wrought iron fan-light encapsulates the appeal of Georgian architecture.

"It’s simple, rudimentary stuff that you shouldn’t be too clever about, but what a terrific impact," says Wayne Colquhoun.

"The terrace house fronts don’t even have to be symmetrical, but it still works really well. The variety of details in doors and windows only adds to the interest."

At No 62, Mount Pleasant, is Blend, formerly Heart and Soul bar restaurant, which is Liverpool’s oldest city centre house, dating from the 1760s.

"This was a fantastic rescue by its owner, Chumki Banerjee, from a state of total dereliction, who turned it into an asset for the city," says Wayne.

"Instead of trying to replicate a long-lost interior, she produced an outstanding contemporary look. This was achieved by a private individual using her own money."

An earlier civic rescue and restoration was Seymour Terrace, in Seymour Street, which straddles the tunnel over Lime Street station’s throat.

Sadly, the western side was lost in an aborted ring-road plan, but the eastern block is in full use as offices.

"This was a success of ‘Merseyside minister’ Michael Heseltine’s ICE (Inner City Enterprises) 25 years ago, but separated from the city’s Georgian quarter," says Wayne.

"It’s better we’ve got one half of the terrace than none at all. It was reduced to a shell, but rebuilt completely, with proper consideration for the exterior’s value.

"The chimney pots were reclaimed and mask central heating ducts which you can just see poking out. Service ducts were installed into ceilings.

"Within the overall scheme, the front doors are all different colours, giving just the right level of individuality. The balconies have all been restored.

"You can see in the Georgian slender window frames the earliest hint of the 20th century Bauhaus design school’s inspiration for big windows to maximise light to create spacious airy interiors. There is nothing wrong in replacing old windows as these are maintainable features with a limited life-span.

"See how well the modernistic, Georgian- style Dean Walters Building ‘lizards’ its way around the corner, joining Liverpool Cathedral approach, Upper Duke Street and Rodney Street."

But, in Duke Street, Liverpool’s oldest and once classiest residential road, some real new architectural horrors have been perpetrated.

Why is a third missing of the former Royal Mersey Yacht Club HQ building, once visited by King Edward VII?

A trio of derelict Duke Street Georgian houses, including Mrs Blodget’s Guest House, home to US writer and consul Nathaniel Hawthorne, has just been bought by developer Iliad.

Conservationists including Wayne are on red alert as Iliad has just controversially demolished the Georgian Jamaica House, in Dale Street, and caused a gaping hole in Stanley Street’s hitherto complete Victorian facade.

Nearby, Urban Splash saved Liverpool’s oldest Catholic church, St Peter’s Seel Street, which became the highly successful Alma de Cuba Restaurant.

"But next door we have a derelict Georgian hall and terrace propped up forever on a steel frame.

"What’s to become of them?" asks Wayne.

"In spite of handling St Peter’s conversion so well, Urban Splash also has a plan for Great George Street which is completely at odds with its Georgian heritage.

"Where’s English Heritage in all this? Why don’t they have a team based here where it’s all happening, instead of hiding in Manchester?

"Why isn’t the council protecting the city from those developers who are purely intent on money-grabbing tactics?

"It has power to stop this needless destruction as it’s the elected representatives of local people, who don’t want somewhere as special as Liverpool turned into yet more ‘clone-town Britain’.

"It’s not too late, but it’s getting very close."