Victoria Street, Liverpool
History
Dating back to the 1860s, the street's offices and commercial buildings meant that it played a key part during the growth of Liverpool. During the 19th century, the street became home to fruit and produce dealers, warehouses, offices and banks, aided by its proximity to the docks and Liverpool Exchange railway station.
At one point, three railway companies had depots on the street. The Midland Railway built a depot on the corner where Victoria Street meets Crosshall Street in 1872. Designed by local architect Henry Sumners of Culshaw and Sumners, the building was later extended towards Peter Street in 1878. In the mid-1990s the building was converted into a convervation centre for National Museums Liverpool, known as the National Conservation Centre. The Fruit Exchange Building was built c.1888 in as a rail depot before being converted into a fruit exchange in 1923. During its heyday, hundreds of people would attend auctions to purchase fruit that had been shipped into Liverpool from around the world. Adjacent to it, the Produce Exchange Buildings was built in 1902 as a produce warehouse for the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway before being converted into offices.
Liverpool's main post office opened on Victoria Street in 1899, having previously been in Custom House at Canning Dock. The building was damaged during the May 1941 blitz and had the upper floors removed. The post office moved to another location during the 20th century and after being derlict for a while the building was converted into a shopping centre called the Metquarter.
Renowned Liverpool nightclub, Eric's Club opened on Victoria Street in 1976 before later moving to Mathew Street. During its four-year lifespan it hosted local bands such as Dead or Alive, Echo & the Bunnymen and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark as well as international acts like U2, Talking Heads and The Ramones.
Listed buildings
Victoria Street contains ten listed buildings. These include:
References
- ^ "Victoria Street: Victorian with a vengeance – Liverpool History Society". Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ "Looking at Buildings: Victoria Street". www.lookingatbuildings.org.uk. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ Sharples, Joseph (2012), "William Culshaw (1807–74) and Henry Sumners (1825–95): rebuilding Victorian Liverpool", in Webster, Christopher (ed.), The Practice of Architecture: eight architects, 1830–1930, Spire Studies in Architectural History, vol. 2, Reading: Spire Books, p. 67, ISBN 978-1-904965-35-0
- ^ Pye, Ken (2011), Discover Liverpool, Liverpool: Trinity Mirror Media, p. 89, ISBN 978-1-906802-90-5
- ^ Historic England. "FRUIT EXCHANGE (1392539)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ Shennan, Paddy (13 April 2016). "Look inside Liverpool Fruit Exchange to find out why it should be saved". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ "Produce Exchange Buildings, Central, Liverpool". britishlistedbuildings.co.uk. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ "Liverpool Post Office (1899)". British Post Office Buildings and Their Architects : an Illustrated Guide. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ "Looking at Buildings: General Post Office". www.lookingatbuildings.org.uk. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ Molyneux, Jess; Bona, Emilia (4 April 2020). "88 beloved bars and nightclubs we have lost down the years". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ "Listed Buildings in Liverpool • Historic Liverpool". Historic Liverpool. 25 April 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2024.