Recognized as one of the finest buildings built in the neo-classical style is Liverpool’s St George’s Hall which stands opposite the Lime Street railway station. The National Heritage graded hall, designed by the architect Harvey Lonsdale Elmes, and built between 1841 and 1854, today houses law courts and concert halls.  The foundation stone of St George’s Hall was laid in 1838 after a public meeting confirmed the need to raise funds to build a hall that could hold festivals, meetings and concerts. Lonsdale Elmes won the bid to design the hall, although the work was completed by Sir Charles Cockerel after the young architect’s untimely death. Cockerel was mainly responsible for the interior decorations of the hall. The hall was officially reopened in 2007 after several years of major restoration.
One of the most attractive features of St George’s Hall is its concert organ, complete with an impressive 7,000 pipes.  The organ is located in the largest area of the building, the Concert Hall, which occupies the center of the building. Other features worth seeing include the fantastic brick arch, as well as the highly decorated floor of 30,000 Minton tiles.
Don’t forget to visit the interesting St George’s Hall Heritage Center which includes a peek into the cells used by prisoners awaiting trial, the original ventilation system that was designed by David Boswell Reid, as well as the original south entrance hall on St Johns Lane. Wrap up your visit with a tasty treat or warm drink at St George’s Hall Café.