Building Name

"Market Cross," Cross Street and Albion Street, Birkenhead

Date
1846 - 1847
Street
Cross Street and Albion Street
District/Town
Birkenhead, Wirral
County/Country
Merseyside, England
Architect
Client
John Somerville Jackson
Work
New build
Status
Demolished

A quadrangular piece of land, between Chester Street and the Market, has recently been covered with a noble pile of buildings, not exceeded in any provincial town in the kingdom, to which the name of the "Market Cross" has been given by the owner, John Somerville Jackson, Esq. In the centre a diagonal street has been formed, the passage through which is confined to pedestrians or carriages only; whereby the noisy and inconvenience of carts is avoided. The buildings consist of thirty-seven excellent houses, the lower apartments being formed into shops, some of them of very large dimensions, equipped with every requisite convenience. They are built, in five distinct elevations, in the Italian style, with polished white stone from the Storeton Quarries, the exterior richly ornamented with carved work in mouldings, cornices, balconies, etc. All the windows, which are of the largest dimensions, are of plate glass; the surrounding footpaths, as well as the cross streets, are covered with Asphalte. With the exception of Hamilton Square, this is the most important work yet undertaken in Birkenhead, of which it is one of the greatest ornaments; reflecting the highest credit on the architect, Mr. Walter Scott, of Birkenhead and of Liverpool, under whose superintendence the buildings have been erected, by the Messrs. Walker, at an expense of upwards of £40,000, exclusive of the land. [William Williams Mortimer: The History of the Hundred of Wirral 1847, page 376-377]

Reference    William Williams Mortimer: The History of the Hundred of Wirral 1847, page 376-377
Reference    Hartwell/Hyde/Pevsner/Hubbard. Buildings of England: Cheshire 2011 page 147