Oriel Chambers, Liverpool

Oriel Chambers, located on Water Street near Liverpool's town hall, is a pioneering architectural landmark. Built in 1864, it was the first building in the world to feature a metal-framed glass curtain wall, a design element that has since become a hallmark of modern skyscrapers. Designed by the innovative architect Peter Ellis, the five-story Grade I listed building comprises 43,000 square feet (4,000 square meters) of floor space. Its striking grid of oriel windows maximizes natural light, giving the structure its iconic appearance.

When first completed, Oriel Chambers received mixed reviews, with some critics dismissing its unconventional design. However, its forward-thinking elements caught the attention of figures like John Wellborn Root, a young student in Liverpool during the American Civil War. Root later became a prominent architect in the Chicago School of Architecture, incorporating lessons from Ellis’s designs into American skyscrapers.

Oriel Chambers and Ellis’s nearby building at 16 Cook Street are considered early precursors of modernist architecture. Both structures utilize metal-framed glass curtain walls and H-section iron columns at their perimeters, which support the floors and cladding. This approach prefigured modern construction techniques, though Ellis's specific cladding method was not widely adopted.

The structure underwent changes over the years, including the addition of a 1950s extension to repair damage caused by German bombing during the Second World War. Refurbished by Bruntwood after being purchased in 2006, it was sold in 2019 to Yakel Property Investment, which planned further updates. Today, its primary tenant is a barristers' chamber, which has occupied various spaces within the building since 1965.

Oriel Chambers has also garnered media attention, featuring in the first episode of Grundy's Northern Pride, a television series highlighting notable northern English architecture. This enduring icon stands as a testament to Peter Ellis's vision and its profound influence on architectural history.