Architecture

The building is a peculiar collection of classically columned frontage with additions and fragmented satellite buildings of different eras. It has a central projection consisting of a fine cornice, supported by four columns in the Ionic order - a front of "bold & massive effect" (Memorials of Liverpool, V 2., p.258) and "somewhat heavy handed but noble and in keeping with the Georgian environs" (Liverpool City of Architecture, p.50).

According to Abel Heywood's Penny Guide of 1867, the foundation stone of this elegant and flourishing institution was laid by Lord Brougham in 1835. It cost £15,000.

Inside, the magnificent wrought iron gates, and spiral staircases lead up to the gallery of the Main Hall; itself an amazing horseshoe shaped amphitheatre.

Alterations and Additions

• 1835 July 20th Foundation stone laid.
• 1837 March 30th Fire.
• Sept 15th Opening ceremony
• 1839 Sculpture gallery built
• 1840 Three storeys of the western wing completed
• 1843 Organ built behind the lecture hall
• Chemical laboratory behind the lecture hall enlarged
• 1859 Three classrooms constructed under the sculpture gallery
• 1869 Iron gates placed in the vestibule
• 1872 Two classrooms built above the rear of the lecture hall
• 1873 Fourth storey added to the Western wing
• 1883 School of Art building opened
• 1896 Sculpture gallery replaced by chemical laboratory
• 1898 New entrances made to lecture hall
• 1899 Dining room enlarged
• 1900-1 Corridors made in the western wing
• 1903-5 Present playgrounds acquired
• School transferred to the City Council
• 1908 Third storey added to the eastern wing and south elevation embellished
• 1915-16 Organ, gymnasium and library presented
• 1929 Windows inserted in northern elevation
• Physics Lab built in the lower yard
• 1985 Closure
• 1996 Reopened as Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts

The masters moved from room to room through their time at The Institute. The table below is extracted from the Green Books and from contributions from some of the boys and staff members.

The room numbering does not seem totally consistent each year, so the nomenclature is presented verbatim. The inconsistency was highlighted by this interesting tale, recalled by Fred Bilson:

"JRE (The Baz) only had one Staff meeting a year - at the start of the Autumn Term to give out the timetables - you had no chance to complain about them then. One day he announced that he had mistakenly described Room 1 as Room 2 and vice versa. To correct this, the caretaker was currently changing over the numbers on the rooms concerned."