Oriel Chambers: Difference between revisions
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{{for|the building in Kingston upon Hull housing WISE|Oriel Chambers, Kingston upon Hull}} | {{for|the building in Kingston upon Hull housing WISE|Oriel Chambers, Kingston upon Hull}} | ||
{{Use British English|date= | {{Short description|Listed building in Liverpool, England}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date= | {{Use British English|date=June 2025}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}} | |||
{{coord|53.4065|-2.9932|display=title|region:GB_type:landmark}} | {{coord|53.4065|-2.9932|display=title|region:GB_type:landmark}} | ||
{{Infobox building | {{Infobox building | ||
| Line 9: | Line 10: | ||
| coordinates = {{coord|53.4065|-2.9932|display=inline}} | | coordinates = {{coord|53.4065|-2.9932|display=inline}} | ||
| location_town = [[Liverpool]] | | location_town = [[Liverpool]] | ||
| location_country = | | location_country = United Kingdom | ||
| architect = [[Peter Ellis (architect)|Peter Ellis]] | | architect = [[Peter Ellis (architect)|Peter Ellis]] | ||
| | | years_built = 1864 | ||
| style = [[Victorian architecture]] | | style = [[Victorian architecture]] | ||
| designations = {{Designation list | |||
| embed = yes | |||
| designation1 = Grade I Listed Building | |||
| designation1_offname = Oriel Chambers | |||
| designation1_date = 12 July 1966 | |||
| designation1_number = {{NHLE|num=1291943|short=y|postscript=none}} | |||
}} | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''Oriel Chambers''' is an office building located on [[Water Street, Liverpool|Water Street]] near the [[Liverpool Town Hall|town hall]] in [[Liverpool]], England. It was the world's first building featuring a metal-framed glass [[Curtain wall (architecture)|curtain wall]], which has since become a defining feature of [[skyscraper]]s around the world.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cuss |first=Helena |title=Britain's top 10 maverick buildings |url=https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/article/britains-greatest-maverick-building |publisher=[[Royal Academy of Arts]] |date=1 April 2016 |access-date=8 July 2022}}</ref> Designed by architect [[Peter Ellis (architect)|Peter Ellis]] and built in 1864, it has been [[ | '''Oriel Chambers''' is an office building located on [[Water Street, Liverpool|Water Street]] near the [[Liverpool Town Hall|town hall]] in [[Liverpool]], England. It was the world's first building featuring a metal-framed glass [[Curtain wall (architecture)|curtain wall]], which has since become a defining feature of [[skyscraper]]s around the world.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cuss |first=Helena |title=Britain's top 10 maverick buildings |url=https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/article/britains-greatest-maverick-building |publisher=[[Royal Academy of Arts]] |date=1 April 2016 |access-date=8 July 2022}}</ref> Designed by architect [[Peter Ellis (architect)|Peter Ellis]] and built in 1864, it has been [[Grade I listed]] since 1966 due to its outstanding importance. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
Ellis won the commission for Oriel Chambers by competition<ref name=Caruso> | [[Peter Ellis (architect)|Peter Ellis]] won the commission for Oriel Chambers by competition<ref name=Caruso>{{cite web |last=Caruso |first=Adam |date=8 January 2010 |title=Adam Caruso on the impact of Liverpool's pioneering Ellis Buildings |url=https://www.bdonline.co.uk/inspirations/adam-caruso-on-the-impact-of-liverpools-pioneering-ellis-buildings/3155796.article |website=Building Design |url-access=subscription |access-date=11 June 2025}}</ref> and completed it in 1864 as evidenced by the building's [[inscription]] ''A.D. 1864'' in the [[gable]]. It comprises {{convert|43000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} of floor space set over five storeys.<ref name="Oriel Chambers History">{{cite web |title=Oriel Chambers History |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123180956/https://www.orielchambers.co.uk/about/ |archive-date=23 November 2021 |url-status=deviated |url=https://www.orielchambers.co.uk/about/ |publisher=Oriel Chambers |access-date=11 December 2023}}</ref> Ellis maximised the influx of light by employing a grid of [[oriel window]]s, which became the building's defining feature. | ||
Initially, it was not well received. ''[[Building (magazine)|The Builder]]'' of 20 January 1866 | Initially, it was not well received. ''[[Building (magazine)|The Builder]]'' of 20 January 1866 criticised it:<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Builder|title=Architecture in Liverpool|pages=40–41|url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=gri.ark:/13960/t4bp57f2g&view=1up&seq=52&size=125&q1=abortion|volume=24|date=20 January 1866}}</ref> | ||
<blockquote>''The plainest brick warehouse in town is infinitely superior as a building to that large agglomeration of protruding plate-glass bubbles in Water Street termed Oriel Chambers. Did we not see this vast abortion – which would be depressing were it not ludicrous – with our own eyes, we should have doubted the possibility of its existence. Where and in what are their beauties supposed to lie?''</blockquote> | <blockquote>''The plainest brick warehouse in town is infinitely superior as a building to that large agglomeration of protruding plate-glass bubbles in Water Street termed Oriel Chambers. Did we not see this vast abortion – which would be depressing were it not ludicrous – with our own eyes, we should have doubted the possibility of its existence. Where and in what are their beauties supposed to lie?''</blockquote> | ||
However, the potential of Ellis's design was not lost on all of his contemporaries. [[John Wellborn Root]] studied in Liverpool as a teenaged boy, having been sent there by his father to be safe from the [[American Civil War]] following the [[Atlanta | However, the potential of Ellis's design was not lost on all of his contemporaries. [[John Wellborn Root]] studied in Liverpool as a teenaged boy, having been sent there by his father to be safe from the [[American Civil War]] following the [[Atlanta campaign]] in 1864. In all likelihood, he studied the then-brand-new Oriel Chambers and put the lessons learned to good use when he developed into an important architect of the [[Chicago school (architecture)|Chicago School of Architecture]], exporting Ellis's ideas across the [[Atlantic Ocean]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Water Street / 4 |url=http://www.liverpool.engineeringwalks.com/LiverpoolEngWalk/9.html |website=Liverpool Engineering Walks |access-date=12 October 2013 |archive-date=5 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005091907/http://www.liverpool.engineeringwalks.com/LiverpoolEngWalk/9.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Long rows of [[bay window]]s (of which oriels are a type) characterise some of [[Burnham and Root]]'s 1880s American [[skyscraper]]s. | ||
[[File:Liverpool 40828.jpg|thumb|right|Side view of Oriel Chambers]] | [[File:Liverpool 40828.jpg|thumb|right|Side view of Oriel Chambers]] | ||
More importantly, Oriel Chambers, and Ellis's building at [[16 Cook Street]] | More importantly, Oriel Chambers, and Ellis's building at [[16 Cook Street]] in Liverpool, are amongst the precursors of [[modernist architecture]] for another reason. In addition to the extensive use of glass on their [[facade]]s, both boast metal-framed glass curtain walls toward the courtyards, which makes them two of the world's first buildings to include this feature. Both buildings rely on H-section iron columns at the perimeter, which support the floors and cladding. Ellis's method for cladding was, however, not adopted by Burnham and Root: their [[Monadnock Building]] of 1891 has its distinctive bay windows still set in load-bearing brickwork. | ||
Recognising its modernity, unsurprisingly, the critical assessment of Oriel Chambers was far more favourable in the 20th century. [[Nikolaus Pevsner]] called it "one of the most remarkable buildings of its date in Europe"<ref>Pevsner, Nikolaus. ''South Lancashire (The Buildings of England)'', 1969, p. 177.</ref> and in his earlier book, ''Pioneers of Modern Design'', describes it thus:<ref>Originally published as ''Pioneers of the Modern Movement'' in 1936; 2nd edition, New York: Museum of Modern Art, 1949; revised and partly rewritten, Penguin Books, 1960; here quoted after the [https://books.google.com/books?id=tIZ2ydHd9woC&q=oriel+chambers 2005 ed., p. 105.]</ref> | Recognising its modernity, unsurprisingly, the critical assessment of Oriel Chambers was far more favourable in the 20th century. [[Nikolaus Pevsner]] called it "one of the most remarkable buildings of its date in Europe"<ref>Pevsner, Nikolaus. ''South Lancashire (The Buildings of England)'', 1969, p. 177.</ref> and in his earlier book, ''Pioneers of Modern Design'', describes it thus:<ref>Originally published as ''Pioneers of the Modern Movement'' in 1936; 2nd edition, New York: Museum of Modern Art, 1949; revised and partly rewritten, Penguin Books, 1960; here quoted after the [https://books.google.com/books?id=tIZ2ydHd9woC&q=oriel+chambers 2005 ed., p. 105.]</ref> | ||
<blockquote>The delicacy of the ironwork in the plate-glass oriel windows and the curtain walling at the back with the vertical supports retracted yet visible from outside is almost unbelievably ahead of its time.</blockquote> | <blockquote>The delicacy of the ironwork in the plate-glass oriel windows and the curtain walling at the back with the vertical supports retracted yet visible from outside is almost unbelievably ahead of its time.</blockquote> | ||
Architect [[Adam Caruso]] | Architect [[Adam Caruso]] described Oriel Chambers as follows:<ref name=Caruso/> | ||
<blockquote>Its membranous windows are almost an expression of the open space of the interior pressing out into the space of the street.</blockquote> | <blockquote>Its membranous windows are almost an expression of the open space of the interior pressing out into the space of the street.</blockquote> | ||
| Line 43: | Line 46: | ||
Today the building looks a little different, combining its period architecture with a 1950s extension added after German aerial bombing destroyed a small section during the [[Second World War]]. | Today the building looks a little different, combining its period architecture with a 1950s extension added after German aerial bombing destroyed a small section during the [[Second World War]]. | ||
In 2006 it was purchased from DCT Developments by [[Bruntwood]] for just over £5 million who then spent £750,000 refurbishing the building.<ref name="LBN-Sep19">{{cite news |last=McDonough |first=Tony |title=New owner of Liverpool's historic Oriel Chambers plans major upgrade |url=https://lbndaily.co.uk/new-owner-liverpools-historic-oriel-chambers-plans-major-upgrade/ |access-date=25 September 2019 |work=Liverpool Business News |date=25 September 2019}}</ref> Bruntwood sold the building in 2019 to Yakel Property Investment who planned to undertake works to update the building. | In 2006 it was purchased from DCT Developments by [[Bruntwood]] for just over £5 million who then spent £750,000 refurbishing the building.<ref name="LBN-Sep19">{{cite news |last=McDonough |first=Tony |title=New owner of Liverpool's historic Oriel Chambers plans major upgrade |url=https://lbndaily.co.uk/new-owner-liverpools-historic-oriel-chambers-plans-major-upgrade/ |access-date=25 September 2019 |work=Liverpool Business News |date=25 September 2019}}</ref> Bruntwood sold the building in 2019 to Yakel Property Investment who planned to undertake works to update the building.{{citation needed|date=November 2025}}{{update-inline|date=November 2025}} | ||
The building's primary tenant is a set of [[barrister]]s' chambers, which has been in occupation in various parts since 1965.<ref name="Oriel Chambers History"/> | The building's primary tenant is a set of [[barrister]]s' chambers, which has been in occupation in various parts since 1965.<ref name="Oriel Chambers History"/> | ||
| Line 49: | Line 52: | ||
==Popular culture== | ==Popular culture== | ||
Oriel Chambers and 16 Cook Street were featured in the first episode of [[John Grundy (television presenter)|John Grundy]]'s television series ''[[Grundy's Northern Pride]]'', which focused on buildings in the north of England.<ref name="Oriel Chambers History"/> | Oriel Chambers and 16 Cook Street were featured in the first episode of [[John Grundy (television presenter)|John Grundy]]'s television series ''[[Grundy's Northern Pride]]'', which focused on buildings in the north of England.<ref name="Oriel Chambers History"/> | ||
==See also== | |||
*[[Architecture of Liverpool]] | |||
*[[Grade I listed buildings in Liverpool]] | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| Line 54: | Line 61: | ||
{{Liverpool B&S}} | {{Liverpool B&S}} | ||
[[Category:Grade I listed buildings in Liverpool]] | [[Category:Grade I listed buildings in Liverpool]] | ||
[[Category:Grade I listed office buildings]] | [[Category:Grade I listed office buildings]] | ||
[[Category:Chicago school (architecture)]] | [[Category:Chicago school (architecture)]] | ||
Latest revision as of 15:20, 14 November 2025
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Oriel Chambers is an office building located on Water Street near the town hall in Liverpool, England. It was the world's first building featuring a metal-framed glass curtain wall, which has since become a defining feature of skyscrapers around the world.[1] Designed by architect Peter Ellis and built in 1864, it has been Grade I listed since 1966 due to its outstanding importance.
History
Peter Ellis won the commission for Oriel Chambers by competition[2] and completed it in 1864 as evidenced by the building's inscription A.D. 1864 in the gable. It comprises Script error: No such module "convert". of floor space set over five storeys.[3] Ellis maximised the influx of light by employing a grid of oriel windows, which became the building's defining feature.
Initially, it was not well received. The Builder of 20 January 1866 criticised it:[4]
The plainest brick warehouse in town is infinitely superior as a building to that large agglomeration of protruding plate-glass bubbles in Water Street termed Oriel Chambers. Did we not see this vast abortion – which would be depressing were it not ludicrous – with our own eyes, we should have doubted the possibility of its existence. Where and in what are their beauties supposed to lie?
However, the potential of Ellis's design was not lost on all of his contemporaries. John Wellborn Root studied in Liverpool as a teenaged boy, having been sent there by his father to be safe from the American Civil War following the Atlanta campaign in 1864. In all likelihood, he studied the then-brand-new Oriel Chambers and put the lessons learned to good use when he developed into an important architect of the Chicago School of Architecture, exporting Ellis's ideas across the Atlantic Ocean.[5] Long rows of bay windows (of which oriels are a type) characterise some of Burnham and Root's 1880s American skyscrapers.
More importantly, Oriel Chambers, and Ellis's building at 16 Cook Street in Liverpool, are amongst the precursors of modernist architecture for another reason. In addition to the extensive use of glass on their facades, both boast metal-framed glass curtain walls toward the courtyards, which makes them two of the world's first buildings to include this feature. Both buildings rely on H-section iron columns at the perimeter, which support the floors and cladding. Ellis's method for cladding was, however, not adopted by Burnham and Root: their Monadnock Building of 1891 has its distinctive bay windows still set in load-bearing brickwork.
Recognising its modernity, unsurprisingly, the critical assessment of Oriel Chambers was far more favourable in the 20th century. Nikolaus Pevsner called it "one of the most remarkable buildings of its date in Europe"[6] and in his earlier book, Pioneers of Modern Design, describes it thus:[7]
The delicacy of the ironwork in the plate-glass oriel windows and the curtain walling at the back with the vertical supports retracted yet visible from outside is almost unbelievably ahead of its time.
Architect Adam Caruso described Oriel Chambers as follows:[2]
Its membranous windows are almost an expression of the open space of the interior pressing out into the space of the street.
Today
Today the building looks a little different, combining its period architecture with a 1950s extension added after German aerial bombing destroyed a small section during the Second World War.
In 2006 it was purchased from DCT Developments by Bruntwood for just over £5 million who then spent £750,000 refurbishing the building.[8] Bruntwood sold the building in 2019 to Yakel Property Investment who planned to undertake works to update the building.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
- REDIRECT Template:Update inline
Template:Redirect category shell
The building's primary tenant is a set of barristers' chambers, which has been in occupation in various parts since 1965.[3]
Popular culture
Oriel Chambers and 16 Cook Street were featured in the first episode of John Grundy's television series Grundy's Northern Pride, which focused on buildings in the north of England.[3]
See also
References
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- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Pevsner, Nikolaus. South Lancashire (The Buildings of England), 1969, p. 177.
- ↑ Originally published as Pioneers of the Modern Movement in 1936; 2nd edition, New York: Museum of Modern Art, 1949; revised and partly rewritten, Penguin Books, 1960; here quoted after the 2005 ed., p. 105.
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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