Listed building doubles as artist’s exhibition hall

Sep 17 2008 by Tony McDonough, Liverpool Daily Post

THE vacant Grade II listed banking hall at Martins Bank Building, in Liverpool, is to play host to one of the largest and most significant artworks during the Liverpool Biennial 2008.

Monuments, by Liverpool-born artist Terry Duffy, will be open to the public free of charge from September 20 to October 30. The installation will create a public domain within the former home of Barclays Bank, and will represent a vision for its future use.

Mr Duffy said: “It is a powerful fusion of architecture, fine art and history. It questions, challenges and informs architectural and spatial democracy, contemporary aesthetics and cultural legacy.”

The ambitious 10ft high artworks are intended to inject new life into the space and draw attention to the significance of its history, its once-global maritime links, and the context for its reinvention.

Also on display will be the proposals to transform the banking hall into viable office accommodation, offering up to 40,000 sq ft for a range of uses including a company headquarters or a trophy hotel/leisure operator.

The premises are being offered by current leaseholders, Barclays, as leasehold by assignment.

Stuart Keppie, partner at Keppie Massie who are joint letting agents with Mason Owen, said: “The exhibition provides the perfect opportunity to showcase one of the most magnificent pieces of architecture in the North West.”

tonymcdonough