Central Hydraulic Tower

Central Hydraulic Tower is a Grade II listed building situated in Birkenhead, England. It was designed by J. B. Hartley to provide the necessary power to move the bridges and lock gates at the adjacent Birkenhead Docks. The building design was based on the Palazzo Vecchio town hall situated in the Piazza della Signoria, Florence, Italy.[1] Currently disused, the building is planned to be used as a Maritime Knowledge Hub as part of the Wirral Waters development scheme.[2]

Central Hydraulic Tower
The Hydraulic Tower pictured in 2017
Alternative names
  • Hydraulic Generating Station
  • Central Hydraulic Tower and Engine House
General information
LocationGreat Float, Birkenhead, England
Coordinates53.4013°N 3.0218°W / 53.4013; -3.0218
Completed1868
OwnerPeel Ports
Design and construction
Architect(s)J. B. Hartley
Designations
Listed Building – Grade II
Official nameHydraulic Generating Station
Designated20 January 1988
Reference no.1258186

History

During the Second World War, the building and 110-foot (34 m) tall tower were considerably damaged by aerial bombing but and were later repaired in a more functional instead of architectural style. The large lantern that was once situated at the top of the tower was not replaced.[3] The building is now disused and in a dilapidated condition.[4]

As part of the Wirral Waters development, a new plan for the site was completed in March 2008 for a £12 million redevelopment and restoration of the building by Peel Holdings for it to be converted into a restaurant and bar. A hotel complex with 92 rooms was planned to be constructed immediately adjacent to it.[5] These plans never came to fruition and in September 2015 it was announced that the tower would become part of a £30 million advanced manufacturing and engineering skills centre.[6] Known as the 'Hydraulic Tower and Generator Project', owners Peel intend to create 90,000 sq ft (8,400 m2) of space for offices and workspaces for small to medium fast-growing businesses.[7]

In March 2021, it was announced that the building would be brought back in to use as The Maritime Knowledge Hub and will be a national base for marine engineering research and development and survival training, as well as providing business accelerator space for the maritime sector. The project will cost £23m.[8] Planning permission was granted in May 2023, with work hoping to be started in mid-2023.[9][10][11]

Description
Inside the pump room in the station, taken in 1983 when the station was still in use

Historic England describes the building as being three storeys, made of brick with rock-faced stone dressings.[12] The boiler room was originally home to six boilers, while two engines pumped steam through the system in another room.[2]

See also

References
  1. Brocklebank 2003, pp. 34–36
  2. Barnes, Ed. "A last look inside Birkenhead's Central Hydraulic Tower before it's redeveloped". Wirral Globe. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  3. "A 1920s photograph of Jesse Hartley's Hydraulic Tower from the East Float". Wyre Heal: A Local History of the Wirral Peninsula. Archived from the original on 31 May 2011.
  4. "Central Hydraulic Tower". 28 Days Later. Archived from the original on 30 December 2007. Retrieved 13 October 2007.
  5. New docklands hotel, Wirral Globe, 19 March 2008, p. 9
  6. McDonough, Tony (9 September 2015). "Wirral Victorian docklands tower to be turned into £30m engineering skills centre". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  7. "Hydraulic Tower – Wirral Waters". Wirral Waters. Archived from the original on 13 January 2017. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  8. "Ambitious plans agreed for Wirral landmark". Birkenhead News. 5 March 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  9. "Plans for Wirral Waters 'world class' maritime knowledge hub submitted to council". Wirral Globe. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  10. "A last look inside Birkenhead's Central Hydraulic Tower before it's redeveloped". Wirral Globe. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  11. Barnes, Ed (23 May 2023). "£25m Wirral Waters project gets greenlight along with new homes". Wirral Globe. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  12. "HYDRAULIC GENERATING STATION, Non Civil Parish – 1258186 | Historic England". historicengland.org.uk. Retrieved 7 March 2023.

Sources
  • Brocklebank, Ralph T. (2003). Birkenhead: An Illustrated History. Breedon Books. ISBN 1-85983-350-0.
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