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Liverpool Icons Honoured

Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, Albert Dock Liverpool and Liverpool ONE have each been recognised for their outstanding architecture and significance in the City’s history, at the Merseyside Civic Society’s 75th Anniversary Awards.

The three iconic landmarks were each bestowed a Quentin Hughes Award, which is named after the famed Liverpool architect and academic. The award is an accolade given to those developments that are recognised as being highly exemplary or representative of each of the three 25-year periods since 1938 - the year the Merseyside Civic Society (MCS) began.

According to the MCS, the erection of the Metropolitan Cathedral, which began in 1962, introduced a timeless feature to the Liverpool skyline, while the restoration of the magnificent Albert Dock Liverpool in 1988 created a vibrant atmosphere, the setting for spectacular events and a magnet for visitors. Liverpool ONE - the youngest recipient - was applauded as a unique, open-air and accessible shopping and leisure destination, and for transforming the heart of Liverpool into a modern city quarter that has returned Liverpool to the top group of British retail destinations.

The 75th Anniversary Awards were established to commemorate the MCS’s 75th anniversary and will be presented for this one year only. Representatives from Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, Albert Dock Liverpool and Liverpool ONE picked up their awards - in the form of a framed certificate - at a special ceremony held at Academy ONE on Hanover Street on February 18.

Dr Peter Brown, chair of Merseyside Civic Society, said:

“The recipients of the Quentin Hughes Awards were determined by the Council of the MCS who deliberated long and hard to find the three most outstanding city developments we felt best represented Liverpool’s ever-changing architectural landscape during our 75 year history - and with a city like Liverpool, this was no mean feat!

“In the end we felt that our three winners were shining examples, and deserve to be recognised as being exemplary for their specific time period.”

Sue Grindrod, chair of Albert Dock Liverpool, said:

“Last year Albert Dock celebrated a landmark 25 years since it reopened to the public. Receiving the Quentin Hughes Award is a wonderful way to cap off such a momentous year in Albert Dock’s illustrious history. The restoration of Albert Dock was a catalyst for change in the City, and had it not been for the vision and incredible hard work by property company, Arrowcroft, Liverpool may not be the city it is today.”

Chris Bliss, estate director, Liverpool ONE, said:

“As the newest development to be awarded we are delighted and honoured to win this special award. It is an important acknowledgement for Liverpool ONE to be recognised as a key regeneration project and we are committed to the ongoing development of Liverpool as a world class city.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Paul Richards .