Liverpool's Albert Dock - A Brief History
Albert Dock 1920
Early Days
When the Albert Dock was first opened in 1846 by Prince Albert (of whom it was named after), Liverpool was at the epicentre of global trade due to its location and innovation with an estimated 40% of the worlds trade passing through it.
Designed by local architect Jesse Hartley, the structure was the first in Britain to be built from cast iron, stone and brick with no structural wood, making it the first non-combustible warehouse system in the world. It also featured the worlds first hydraulic cranes in 1848 after further modifications, further confirming its status as a global player in the world trade arena. The warehouses would store such goods as cotton, silk, tea, tobacco, sugar, ivory and brandy.
Stevedores, Albert Dock, 1945 Credit: National Trust Images/Edward Chambré Hardman Collection, Liverpool
During The War
World War II saw the Albert Dock requisitioned by the Admiralty and served as a base for the British Atlantic Fleet. Unsurprisingly the docks were heavily damaged during numerous bombings by the Nazi’s, most notably in 1941 during the infamous May Blitz. By the end of the war almost 15% of the Albert Dock's floor space was out of use due to bomb damage.
Sad Decline
Post-war economic issues combined with the geographical shift in global trade brought financial issues for Albert Dock which meant they couldn’t afford to repair any of the wartime bomb damage.
Despite the Albert Dock being granted Grade I listed building status in 1952 the financial woes continued for the owners (Mersey Docks and Harbour Board) and they explored plans to sell the site but despite numerous plans nothing materialised and the docks were officially shut in 1972. Sadly it was to stay this way until almost 10 years later when a feasible restoration project was finally approved…
Albert Dock 1974. (Credit: Bernard Rose Photography)
The Albert Dock Reborn
The Merseyside Development Corporation (MDC) was established with its sole purpose to regenerate Liverpool’s once imperious waterfront and docks. During 1982 The Arrowcroft Group put forward ambitious plans to bring the Albert Dock back to life in the form of commercial, leisure and residential units. In September 1983 a deal was signed between Arrowcroft and the MDC leading to the creation of the Albert Dock Company, which could now start the process of regenerating the Albert Dock.
One of the biggest challenges was the large amount of contaminated silt within the dock, this was caused by the Brunswick Dock gates being left open. Fortunately and surprisingly it was found that the foundations and brickwork were in very good condition, this was attributed to the initial architectural design by Hartley, which by this point was 150 years old.
The restoration project wasted no time and the newly renovated Edward Pavilion was complete by 1984. Less than 2 years later in 1986 the Merseyside Maritime Museum was also complete, in that same year work also began on the Albert Docks largest warehouse. Shops were created on the ground floor, office space above on the mezzanine level and the remaining floors would become apartments.
Originally used at the Dock Office, this building fell into a deep state of disrepair.
What the Dock Office looks like today.
The Reopening
The Albert Dock was officially re-opened in 1988 by The Prince of Wales, who was the great-great-great-grandson of Prince Albert who opened the docks the first time. The opening was timed to coincide with the newly finished Tate Liverpool, dubbed the 'Tate Of The North' and at the time the only one outside London. The decision for a Tate gallery to be located in Liverpool was seen as big milestone for the city, as it made Liverpool home to the National Collection of modern art in the North of England.
That same year ITV’s popular television show ‘This Morning’ began broadcasting from a studio inside the Albert Dock. The show was hosted by the moved-loved husband and wife duo Richard and Judy, who featured from its conception in 1988 until 2001.
Richard and Judy pictured at the Albert Dock.
Modern day
In 2016 the city reported that the Albert Dock was Liverpool’s most visited landmark with around 6.3 million people enjoying its splendour, and is also the most visited multi-use attraction in the UK outside London.
The dock today beholds a mix of uses such as restaurants, hotels, apartments, bars and museums such as The Tate. The Albert Dock was given its Royal title in 2018 and is now officially known as The Royal Albert Dock.
In 2021 Liverpool UNESCO delisted Liverpool’s City Centre and Waterfront, a title which it had held for some 17 years. When announcing the decision, UNESCO committee chairman said 20 votes had been cast - with 13 in favour of deleting the city, five opposing and two ballot papers being invalid. The decision caused uproar, with Liverpool’s newly elected Mayor Joanne Anderson stating "Our World Heritage site has never been in better condition having benefitted from hundreds of millions of pounds of investment across dozens of listed buildings and the public realm."
The Albert Dock is now Liverpool’s most visited landmark.