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 project name was derived from its location adjacent to the three historic buildings at the Pier Head site, known as "the Three Graces".
These are the Port of Liverpool Building, the Cunard Building and the Royal Liver Building.
Four proposals were submitted, all of which received criticism for their appearance and contrast to the city's famed historic skyline.
Public consultation found the Cullinan design to be the favourite, while the Alsop design was the least popular amongst the public and in a survey of architects. Despite this, Alsop's 'Cloud' was the winning entry. However, it was beset with difficulties, and was cancelled in 2004 due to spiralling costs. Currently, it has been relocated to Toronto, Canada, where preliminary construction work is being undertaken.
All ideas were eventually scrapped in favour of the Mann Island Development, comprising the new Museum of Liverpool, the Liverpool Canal Link, and three modernist mixed-use private enterprise blocks, the Mann Island Buildings.