Lyceum, Port Sunlight

The Lyceum was built for William Lever in 1894–96,[2] and was designed by the Chester firm of architects Douglas and Fordham.[3] It was originally built as the school for the developing community of Port Sunlight and was used as a place of worship until the church was built. It later acquired the name of the Lyceum.[2] As of 2009 it is being used partly as a social centre and partly as architects' offices. There are plans to develop another part of it as a Victorian classroom to form part of Port Sunlight Museum.[4]

The main front of the building faces southeast. It has five bays in an irregular plan, and is mainly in one storey.[1] The walls are constructed in red Ruabon brick with blue brick diapering and stone dressings.[2][3] The roofs are of slate with tiled ridges. From the left, the first bay projects forwards. It has a three-light window, an elliptical-arched doorway and a plain gable. The second bay is recessed and higher, with three two-light windows and a shaped gable. The third bay is recessed even further, is in two storeys and has a doorway and a shaped gable. The fourth bay is the most substantial, wider and higher than the others, and projecting forwards. It contains three pairs of two-light windows and has a shaped gable in which there is a circular window with star-shaped tracery. There are finials on all the gables. On the right of the main front is a turret which has a square base and is octagonal above with broaches at the transition. On the ground floor is an elliptical-headed doorway with a two-light window over it. Above this is a string course, then a clock and a window on alternative faces. Over these is another string course and a parapet with ball finials. The turret is surmounted by a recessed slate spire with a weather vane.[1]

• Listed buildings in Port Sunlight
• List of non-ecclesiastical and non-residential works by John Douglas