Liverpool, London & Globe Insurance, Company, 1 Albert Square

In the new building by Mr Percy Worthington in Albert Square for the Liverpool London and Globe Insurance Company, the main effect is obtained by under-statement rather than over-statement. It is on a very awkwardly shaped site, a wedge between John Dalton Street and Tasle Alley. This fact has, however, been cleverly made use of by the architect, who has formed a circular feature, the whole height of the building, at the apex of the triangle. This feature he has enriched with flat Corinthian pilasters, and instead of covering the rest of his building with similar detail, he has left his two flank walls severely plain to contrast with the richer end. Even here, however, there is no luscious ornament. He has relied instead on delicately moulded surrounds to his windows and very charming iron balconies of a beautiful mesh pattern. Indeed if any fault could be found, it is that the detail is too precise and restrained, the Italian shield between pilasters a trifle too small, and the niches on the ground storey on either side of the door a little timid. But his is a mistake, if it be one, on the right side. The building gains by its obvious refinement. The fine solidity of the base, without windows on either side of the entrance door tempted me inside, to see how the hall was lighted, and there I found a perfectly charming and indeed rather romantic little interior. The circular end contains a graceful staircase, the upper windows of which, with others at the side, amply light the hall. Facing you as you enter is a balcony carried on an Italian arcade of three arches, through which you see the main office. The combination of this arcade, balcony, and circular staircase, carried out as it is in fine materials with small and delightful enrichments, lifts this office entrance to another plane altogether than the ordinary English office interior. It might be the entrance to some small but perfect Italian palazzo, yet it is in no sense extravagant. It shows that we still have artists who out of simple shapes  and small apartments can fashion things of permanent beauty. [Professor C H Reilly, Manchester Guardian 17 July 1922 page 9]

Reference           Manchester Guardian 17 July 1922 page 9 - Professor CH Reilly, Manchester Architecture, Some Recent Street Fronts