Our first uRbEx of the new year took us to the centre of Liverpool to attempt this well-known structure that had deceived us for two years. Today with a better knowledge we hoped to head back in time to see this piece of 1900s history finally for ourselves.
Fruit Exchange
No.10-16 Victoria Street was built in c.1888 as a railway goods depot for the London & North Western Railway and was converted into a fruit exchange in 1923 by James B Hutchins. The building was originally constructed to serve Exchange Station on Tithebarn Street (the first station was built in 1850 and a larger version constructed in 1886-8; this eventually closed in 1950). After its change of use in 1923 the Fruit Exchange became the main trading point for fruit produce within the city and dealt with the majority of fruit imports coming into Liverpool. Warehouses in the Mathew Street area behind were used to store the fruit sold at the exchange. In the late C20 the lower ground floor was converted into separate public houses.
Before we visited this place, we had heard how dusty it was inside, but that didn't prepare us for the reality - layers of dust covered the old wooden benches that had survived until today, because the building is free of vandalism due to it's location. I can't say for certain but I am pretty positive this is the site that caused a speck of dust to go under my sensor, so I have to keep photoshopping out said speck each photo I edit.
The first area we covered was a construction site area that is supposed to become flats. It looked as if work was ongoing but if you looked closer, there was signs of decay and holes in the floor, so it is more likely that the rennovations have been put on halt for a number of years.
The tiling was nice, and was the only interesting part of this section of the building
From there we made our way through the crammed entrance hall into our first auction chamber. The room had great natural light coming in through the huge dome above.
A comparison
Room 2
Here's the link to our documentary styled video of this historic structure. We cover the building's past, present and future through cinematics and narration:
Thanks for watching
Fruit Exchange
No.10-16 Victoria Street was built in c.1888 as a railway goods depot for the London & North Western Railway and was converted into a fruit exchange in 1923 by James B Hutchins. The building was originally constructed to serve Exchange Station on Tithebarn Street (the first station was built in 1850 and a larger version constructed in 1886-8; this eventually closed in 1950). After its change of use in 1923 the Fruit Exchange became the main trading point for fruit produce within the city and dealt with the majority of fruit imports coming into Liverpool. Warehouses in the Mathew Street area behind were used to store the fruit sold at the exchange. In the late C20 the lower ground floor was converted into separate public houses.
Before we visited this place, we had heard how dusty it was inside, but that didn't prepare us for the reality - layers of dust covered the old wooden benches that had survived until today, because the building is free of vandalism due to it's location. I can't say for certain but I am pretty positive this is the site that caused a speck of dust to go under my sensor, so I have to keep photoshopping out said speck each photo I edit.
The first area we covered was a construction site area that is supposed to become flats. It looked as if work was ongoing but if you looked closer, there was signs of decay and holes in the floor, so it is more likely that the rennovations have been put on halt for a number of years.
The tiling was nice, and was the only interesting part of this section of the building
From there we made our way through the crammed entrance hall into our first auction chamber. The room had great natural light coming in through the huge dome above.
A comparison
Room 2
Here's the link to our documentary styled video of this historic structure. We cover the building's past, present and future through cinematics and narration:
Thanks for watching
