The Pier Head - Three Graces and waterfront

The Pier Head is a riverside location in the city centre of Liverpool, England. It is part of the Liverpool Maritime Mercantile City UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was inscribed in 2004.

Liverpool Pier Head by night: the 'Three Graces'The historic site encompasses a trio of landmarks, built on the site of the former George's Dock and which in 2001/2002 were dubbed 'The Three Graces':

Royal Liver Building, built between 1908 and 1911 and designed by Walter Aubrey Thomas. It is a grade I listed building consisting of two clock towers, both crowned by mythical Liver Birds. The building is the headquarters of the Royal Liver Friendly Society.
Cunard Building, constructed between 1914 and 1916 and a grade II* listed building. It is the former headquarters of the Cunard Line shipping company.
Port of Liverpool Building, built from 1903 to 1907 and also grade II* listed. It is the former home of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board.
Also on the site is the grade II listed Mersey Tunnel building, to the east of the Port of Liverpool building. It was built in the 1930's and contains offices and ventilator equipment for the Queensway Tunnel.
Liverpool Pier Head, with the Royal Liver Building, Cunard Building and Port of Liverpool Building, as well as the Anglican cathedral in the backgroundThe site has been subject to a number of redevelopment schemes.

In 2002 was the ill-starred Fourth Grace project; the winning entry, designed by Wil Alsop and known as "the Cloud", was abandoned in 2004 after "fundamental changes" to the original waterfront plan left it unworkable.[3]

In 2007 work commenced on a new scheme, to re-house the Museum of Liverpool Life. Work also commenced in 2007 to build a canal link between the Leeds-Liverpool Canal and the South Docks. The £22 million pound 1.6 mile extension to the Leeds-Liverpool Canal was officially opened on 25 March 2009. It opens to boaters at the end of April and links the 127 miles of the existing canal to the city's South Docks, passing Pier Head and the famous Three Graces.

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