Mann Island
Encyclopedia
Mann Island is a small area in Liverpool
, England
.
It lies on the waterfront next to the River Mersey
between the Albert Dock
to the south and the Pier Head
to the north.
It was a virtual island, with Georges Dock to the north, Canning Dock
to the east and south, and the River Mersey
to the west.
It was connected to the shoreline by a narrow neck of land opposite James Street.
It was the site of the Manchester Dock, opening onto the river, and two graving docks, opening into Canning Dock. It was also the location of the Great Western Railway
wharehouses, and the Mersey Railway
pumping station
, all of which are Grade II listed buildings.
Later, in the 20th century, it was the site for the James Street station
of the Liverpool Overhead Railway
.
The site ceased to be an “island” in 1899 when the Georges Dock was filled in to provide building land for the Port of Liverpool Building
, and it became physically joined to the Pier Head. However the name was continued in the roadway which extended into the Pier Head from James Street.
During the 20th Century Mann Island served as a tram and bus terminus, for routes serving the south of the city, and adjoining the Pier Head bus terminus serving the north.
Mann Island has been the subject of a number of regeneration schemes, such as the ill-starred Fourth Grace
project, which was under consideration from 2002 to 2006. When this was cancelled, it was replaced by the three part scheme.
, which replaced the Museum of Liverpool Life
, opening on 19 July 2011. Secondly, the Liverpool Canal Link
, which cuts through Mann Island via a lock system into the Canning Dock
. This is complete but not yet open to traffic. The third, occupying the shoreside half of the site, are the Mann Island Buildings
which are three modernist mixed-use private enterprise buildings.
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
It lies on the waterfront next to the River Mersey
River Mersey
The River Mersey is a river in North West England. It is around long, stretching from Stockport, Greater Manchester, and ending at Liverpool Bay, Merseyside. For centuries, it formed part of the ancient county divide between Lancashire and Cheshire....
between the Albert Dock
Albert Dock
The Albert Dock is a complex of dock buildings and warehouses in Liverpool, England. Designed by Jesse Hartley and Philip Hardwick, it was opened in 1846, and was the first structure in Britain to be built from cast iron, brick and stone, with no structural wood...
to the south and the Pier Head
Pier Head
The Pier Head is a riverside location in the city centre of Liverpool, England. It is part of the Liverpool Maritime Mercantile City UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was inscribed in 2004....
to the north.
History
Mann Island was formed in the 18th and 19th centuries as part of the Liverpool dock complex.It was a virtual island, with Georges Dock to the north, Canning Dock
Canning Dock
Canning Dock is a dock, on the River Mersey, England and part of the Port of Liverpool. It is situated in the southern dock system, connected to Salthouse Dock to the south and Canning Half Tide Dock to the west. The Canning Graving Docks are accessed from the dock.-History:The dock was opened in...
to the east and south, and the River Mersey
River Mersey
The River Mersey is a river in North West England. It is around long, stretching from Stockport, Greater Manchester, and ending at Liverpool Bay, Merseyside. For centuries, it formed part of the ancient county divide between Lancashire and Cheshire....
to the west.
It was connected to the shoreline by a narrow neck of land opposite James Street.
It was the site of the Manchester Dock, opening onto the river, and two graving docks, opening into Canning Dock. It was also the location of the Great Western Railway
Great Western Railway
The Great Western Railway was a British railway company that linked London with the south-west and west of England and most of Wales. It was founded in 1833, received its enabling Act of Parliament in 1835 and ran its first trains in 1838...
wharehouses, and the Mersey Railway
Mersey Railway
The Mersey Railway connected Liverpool and Birkenhead, England, via the Mersey Railway Tunnel under the River Mersey. Opened in 1886, it was the second oldest urban underground railway network in the world. The railway contained the first tunnel built under the River Mersey. It was constructed by...
pumping station
Pumping station
Pumping stations are facilities including pumps and equipment for pumping fluids from one place to another. They are used for a variety of infrastructure systems, such as the supply of water to canals, the drainage of low-lying land, and the removal of sewage to processing sites.A pumping station...
, all of which are Grade II listed buildings.
Later, in the 20th century, it was the site for the James Street station
James Street (LOR) railway station
James Street was a railway station on the Liverpool Overhead Railway, located just south of its namesake, within the city centre, close to the still open Merseyrail James Street station.It was opened on 6 March 1893 by the Marquis of Salisbury....
of the Liverpool Overhead Railway
Liverpool Overhead Railway
The Liverpool Overhead Railway was the world's first electrically operated overhead railway. The railway was carried mainly on iron viaducts, with a corrugated iron decking, onto which the tracks were laid. It ran close to the River Mersey in Liverpool, England, following the line of Liverpool Docks...
.
The site ceased to be an “island” in 1899 when the Georges Dock was filled in to provide building land for the Port of Liverpool Building
Port of Liverpool Building
The Port of Liverpool Building , is a Grade II* listed building located in Liverpool, England. It is sited at the Pier Head and along with the neighbouring Liver Building and Cunard Building is one of Liverpool's "Three Graces", which line the city's waterfront...
, and it became physically joined to the Pier Head. However the name was continued in the roadway which extended into the Pier Head from James Street.
During the 20th Century Mann Island served as a tram and bus terminus, for routes serving the south of the city, and adjoining the Pier Head bus terminus serving the north.
Mann Island has been the subject of a number of regeneration schemes, such as the ill-starred Fourth Grace
Fourth Grace
The Fourth Grace was a planned development to be built on the Liverpool Pier Head, as a part of the Liverpool European Capital of Culture 2008 bid.The winning entry, named "The Cloud", was designed by the architect Will Alsop....
project, which was under consideration from 2002 to 2006. When this was cancelled, it was replaced by the three part scheme.
Current use
Mann Island has been subject to three redevelopment schemes. The first, occupying the third of the site next to the river, is the new Museum of LiverpoolMuseum of Liverpool
The Museum of Liverpool in Liverpool, England, opened on 19 July 2011 and is part of the National Museums Liverpool group....
, which replaced the Museum of Liverpool Life
Museum of Liverpool Life
The Museum of Liverpool Life was a Museum in Liverpool, England, part of National Museums Liverpool, that focused on the contribution that the people of Liverpool made to national life...
, opening on 19 July 2011. Secondly, the Liverpool Canal Link
Liverpool Canal Link
The Liverpool Canal Link is a £22m waterway link that connects the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, at Liverpool, to the South Docks. The new link adds of navigable waterway to the canal system.-History:...
, which cuts through Mann Island via a lock system into the Canning Dock
Canning Dock
Canning Dock is a dock, on the River Mersey, England and part of the Port of Liverpool. It is situated in the southern dock system, connected to Salthouse Dock to the south and Canning Half Tide Dock to the west. The Canning Graving Docks are accessed from the dock.-History:The dock was opened in...
. This is complete but not yet open to traffic. The third, occupying the shoreside half of the site, are the Mann Island Buildings
Mann Island Buildings
The Mann Island Buildings are a group of buildings in Liverpool, England currently under construction.They comprise three international style mixed use buildings on Mann Island, which lies on the waterfront between the Port of Liverpool Building and the Albert Dock.-Background:Formerly rundown...
which are three modernist mixed-use private enterprise buildings.