Tower Buildings

The building stands on a historic site in the city. The first structure on the site had been a sandstone mansion, built in 1256 on the shore of the River Mersey. Its first owner is not known, but by 1360 it was owned by Sir Robert Lathom. By the beginning of the 15th century it was owned by Sir John Stanley. In 1406 Sir John gained permission from King Henry IV to build a fortified house, which was named the Tower of Liverpool. The Stanley family later became the Earls of Derby. By 1737 the house was being leased from the Earl of Derby by Liverpool Corporation. In 1745 part of it was converted into a prison, and the upper rooms were used for civic functions. In 1774 the Corporation bought…

Tower Building is constructed on a steel frame. It is clad in grey granite, and faced with white glazed terracotta made by Doulton. The Strand front has eight storeys and nine bays, the Water Street front has five storeys plus attics and three bays, and there is a curved bay on the corner. The bays are divided by polygonal turrets. On each end of the Strand front is a two-storey tower, and above the central bay rises a three-storey tower. A balustrade runs along the top of the building and around the two lateral towers.