The Port of Liverpool Building is the southernmost of the three fine buildings forming the famous Mersey waterfront, well known to seafarers sailing into the port of Liverpool. The other two buildings are the Cunard and the Royal Liver Buildings.
All three buildings are collectively know as the 'Three Graces'.
The Cunard building (The middle one) was some time ago the Head Office to the Cunard Steamship Company but is now occupied by the Prudential Insurance Company. The Cunard Building was built during Word war 1 in the Italian palazzo style and completed in 1916. The sculptures around the building represent Storm and Neptune, Peace and War, and Britannia.
Building of the Port of Liverpool offices, commenced in 1904, opening in 1907 amidst argument regarding the money spent on the fine furnishings and copper dome. On the inside of the dome there is a copper band inscribed with the Biblical text :- 'They that go down to the sea in ships and do business in great waters; these see the works of the Lord and his wonders in the deep'. In the entrance hall on the floor is a compass with points of true North and South. On the outside the building has black and gilded globes on the gate posts and several figures of King Neptune on the ornamental pillers placed at intervals along the balustrade. One Dock board member had argued that 'It was not the duty of the Board to beautify the town'. The cost - £250,000.