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Chapter One:
THE ARCHITECT

Title: Chapter One: The Architect.

Overview: The life of Liverpudlian, Alfred Waterhouse, and his other significant projects in the Liverpool City Region.

Biography

Alfred Waterhouse is recognised nationally as one of the most prolific and financially successful Victorian Architects, often known for his elaborate and expansive High Victorian buildings. Unparalleled in scale and intricacy, with his range of extensive works being enjoyed across the United Kingdom, there is a reason why he is practically a household name in the architectural realm.

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As previously mentioned, his High Victorian Gothic Revival style was an eclectic architectural style combining a wide variety of materials
 

Born in 1830 in Anfield in the City of Liverpool, to a Quaker Family, Alfred Waterhouse Senior and Mary Waterhouse. Shortly after Alfred's birth, his family moved to Aigburth in the Southern part of the City.

 

One of Waterhouse's most notable contemporaries was George Gilbert Scott, with both renown for their love of Gothic Revival. Interestingly, both families had a multigenerational lineage of architects. The notable architects in the Gilbert Scott Family includes: George Gilbert Scott (1811–1878; aged 66) having George Gilbert Scott Junior (1839–1897; aged 58), in turn Giles Gilbert Scott (1880–1960; aged 79), and then Richard Gilbert Scott (1923–2017; aged 83).

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The notable architects in the Waterhouse Family includes: Alfred Waterhouse (1830–1905; aged 75), his son Paul Waterhouse (1861–1925; aged 63), and Michael Waterhouse (1888–1968; aged 79).

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Waterhouse had the opportunity to train as an architect in Manchester, under the tutelage of Richard Lane as part of an apprenticeship.

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He went on to become one of the most financially successful architects of the Victorian Era.

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Image Credit: Alfred Waterhouse (1830—1905). By Ralph Winwood Robinson, published by C. Whittingham & Co platinum print, c.1889. Courtesy of The National Portrait Gallery.

Alfred-Waterhouse.jpg

Interactive Ordnance Survey Map:
Alfred Waterhouse's Lifetime In Comparison To Present Day

Fascinating Facts About Alfred Waterhouse & His Work

01.

Architectural Style

Alfred was acclaimed for his High Victorian Gothic Revival architecture.

02.

The Red Brick

In one of Alfred's signature styles: Common brick with red brick and terracotta dressings over a fire-proof iron frame. (University of Liverpool, 2018).

04.

When Did Alfred Start To Design The Building?

Alfred Waterhouse started to design the building in 1887 after funding was raised to start construction for the then proposed University College Liverpool Building.

03.

Why Is It Named Victoria?

The Victoria Building gained its name to coincide with the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887 which was when Alfred started to design the building.

05.

Father & Son

Alfred Waterhouse lived to the age of 75 years old (1830–1905) and was named after his Father, Alfred Waterhouse, who also lived to the age of 75 years old (1798–1873).

Photography Gallery: Architectural Sketches Of Victoria Building By Alfred Waterhouse

Relatives Of Alfred Waterhouse

Timeline Of Alfred Waterhouse

  • 19th of July 1830 — Born, in Liverpool, England.

  • 1859 — Won the open competition for the design of the Manchester Assize Courts.

  • 1860 — Married Elizabeth Hodgkin a fellow Quaker

  • 1861 — Birth of his son Paul Waterhouse (29th October, Fallowfield, Lancashire).

  • 1863 ​— Birth of his daughter Mary Monica Waterhouse (31st August, Fallowfield, Lancashire).

  • 1865 ​— Opened an office in London.

  • 1865 ​— Designed Hutton Hall, Guisborough.

  • 1866 ​— Birth of his daughter Florence Eliot Waterhouse (11th November, London).

  • 1868 ​— Birth of son Alfred Maurine Waterhouse (19th April, London) died before age 12.

  • 1868 ​— Won the competition for the design of Manchester Town Hall.

  • 1868 ​— Began rebuilding Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge.

  • 1867-69 ​— Designed new buildings at Balliol College, Oxford.

  • 1871 ​— Designed Pembroke College, Cambridge.

  • 1871 ​— North Western Hotel, Liverpool Lime Street opened.

  • 1872 ​— Birth of son Amyas Theodore Waterhouse (19th November, Marylebone London).

  • 1873 ​— Building of Girton College, University of Cambridge, which was started and completed by three generations of The Waterhouse Family.

  • 1873-81 ​— Designed Natural History Museum, London.

  • 1887 — Designed the University of Liverpool, Victoria Building.

  • 1883 — designed Lyndhurst Congregational Church in Camden, London.

  • 1887 ​— He became an Anglican.

  • 1890 ​— Hotel Metropole, Brighton, completed.

  • 1889-1891 — Kings Weigh House Chapel, London built.

  • 1891 ​— He brought his eldest son Paul into his practice.

  • 1892 — University of Liverpool, Victoria Building, completed.

  • 1896 ​— Designed new University College Hospital, Bloomsbury, London. It was completed in 1906.

  • 22nd of September 1905 ​— Died, in Yattendon, Berkshire, England (age 75).

Born:
1830
Died:
1905

Further Reading

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