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There has been some justifiable criticism on these threads of the number of times the phrase 'world class' is used to glamourise the most run of the mill developments.
So lets forget about the world class public toilets, litter bins and bus shelters and concentrate on what in this city and region is really 'world class'. By that I don't mean necessarily the best in the world but those things that bear comparison to the best that the world has to offer. It might be a modern building, a cultural event, something from the city's history etc. My own suggestions are as follows:
1) The Beatles
Liverpool's tourist industry may go on about the Fab Four ad nauseum but how many other figures from popular culture have had so much impact on the entire world?
2) Liverpool Anglican Cathedral
The largest Anglican Cathedral in the world and the seventh largest of any denomination.
3) The Queensway Tunnel
Longest road tunnel in the world when built, still the longest in Britain and one of the largest underwater tunnels in the world, conceived on a heroic scale with marvellous art deco architecture.
4) The Grand National
Most famous steeplechase in the world, watched every year by hundreds of millions.
5) The Mersey Docks
In their heyday, the nine miles of docks along the Liverpool waterfront were one of the greatest sights in world shipping.
6) The Liver Bird
Other cities have mythical beasts as symbols but the Liver Bird is unique to Liverpool and its perch 300' above the city must make it one of the most famous civic symbols anywhere.
7) The Liverpool and Manchester Railway
By no means the first ever railway but the L&MR marked the beginning of the modern passenger railway which was to conquer the world.
8) The Williamson Tunnels
Virtually forgotten for ages but now recognised as one of the most extensive and magnificent underground follies to be found anywhere. Maybe not as famous as the Paris catacombs but they are still finding more and more of them.
9) The Mersey Ferries
A Sunday Times poll a few years ago listed these as the seventh most famous ferries in the world. When you consider that the competition included New York's Staten Island Ferry, Hong Kong's Star Ferry and the Sydney Harbour Ferry you realise that they are a world class attraction.
10) The New Brighton Tower
Sadly no longer with us but this tower would have been second only to the Eiffel Tower in Paris in terms of height. New York had nothing to compare at the time.
11) The Northern Airport Terminal
Probably the greatest survival from the early days of aviation. This magnificent terminal built in the Art Deco style has no rival in Britain and only Berlin's Templehof matches if for size and spendour in Europe.
12) St Georges Hall
One of the finest public buildings in the world, a one hit wonder for Harvey Lonsdale Elmes its 24 year old architect.
13) Oriel Chambers
and
14) 16 Cook Street
These buildings by architect Peter Ellis were completely revolutionary when built and are suspected to have influenced the early Chicago skyscrapers.
That's all I can think of at the moment, any more suggestions or comments on my list?
So lets forget about the world class public toilets, litter bins and bus shelters and concentrate on what in this city and region is really 'world class'. By that I don't mean necessarily the best in the world but those things that bear comparison to the best that the world has to offer. It might be a modern building, a cultural event, something from the city's history etc. My own suggestions are as follows:
1) The Beatles
Liverpool's tourist industry may go on about the Fab Four ad nauseum but how many other figures from popular culture have had so much impact on the entire world?
2) Liverpool Anglican Cathedral
The largest Anglican Cathedral in the world and the seventh largest of any denomination.
3) The Queensway Tunnel
Longest road tunnel in the world when built, still the longest in Britain and one of the largest underwater tunnels in the world, conceived on a heroic scale with marvellous art deco architecture.
4) The Grand National
Most famous steeplechase in the world, watched every year by hundreds of millions.
5) The Mersey Docks
In their heyday, the nine miles of docks along the Liverpool waterfront were one of the greatest sights in world shipping.
6) The Liver Bird
Other cities have mythical beasts as symbols but the Liver Bird is unique to Liverpool and its perch 300' above the city must make it one of the most famous civic symbols anywhere.
7) The Liverpool and Manchester Railway
By no means the first ever railway but the L&MR marked the beginning of the modern passenger railway which was to conquer the world.
8) The Williamson Tunnels
Virtually forgotten for ages but now recognised as one of the most extensive and magnificent underground follies to be found anywhere. Maybe not as famous as the Paris catacombs but they are still finding more and more of them.
9) The Mersey Ferries
A Sunday Times poll a few years ago listed these as the seventh most famous ferries in the world. When you consider that the competition included New York's Staten Island Ferry, Hong Kong's Star Ferry and the Sydney Harbour Ferry you realise that they are a world class attraction.
10) The New Brighton Tower
Sadly no longer with us but this tower would have been second only to the Eiffel Tower in Paris in terms of height. New York had nothing to compare at the time.
11) The Northern Airport Terminal
Probably the greatest survival from the early days of aviation. This magnificent terminal built in the Art Deco style has no rival in Britain and only Berlin's Templehof matches if for size and spendour in Europe.
12) St Georges Hall
One of the finest public buildings in the world, a one hit wonder for Harvey Lonsdale Elmes its 24 year old architect.
13) Oriel Chambers
and
14) 16 Cook Street
These buildings by architect Peter Ellis were completely revolutionary when built and are suspected to have influenced the early Chicago skyscrapers.
That's all I can think of at the moment, any more suggestions or comments on my list?
