Lime Street · William Brown Street
St George's Hall
St George's Hall stands on the site of Liverpool's first infirmary, which occupied the ground from 1749 to 1824. Harvey Lonsdale Elmes won the design competition in 1839; the hall was built between 1841 and 1854 as a concert hall and assize courts and is Grade I listed.
- Architects
- Harvey Lonsdale Elmes; completed by Charles Cockerell
- Built
- 1841–1854
- Heritage
- Grade I listed
- Before
- First Liverpool Infirmary, 1749–1824
Before the hall, the site opposite what is now Lime Street station was occupied by the first Liverpool Infirmary, which stood there from 1749 to 1824.
A competition for a new hall was announced in 1839 and won by the young London architect Harvey Lonsdale Elmes. Building began in 1841. Elmes died in 1847, and Charles Cockerell completed the work, including much of the interior; the hall opened in 1854 and the Small Concert Room two years later.
It was built to combine a great hall for music festivals, meetings and dinners with the city’s assize courts. The courts remained in use as Liverpool Crown Court until 1984. The building is Grade I listed.
- 1749
The first Liverpool Infirmary opens on the site.
- 1824
The infirmary leaves the site.
- 1839
Harvey Lonsdale Elmes wins the design competition.
- 1841
Building begins.
- 1854
St George's Hall opens.
- 1984
The crown court moves out.
How much history this place holds
The Old Town Time Meter
Old Town Time Meter
94/100
Deep time
- Time on this spot277 years, since 1749 (first Liverpool Infirmary)37/40
- Age of the present building172 years, built 185417/20
- Layers of history6 documented chapters15/15
- Heritage protectionGrade I listed15/15
- Continuity172 years in the same use (concert and events hall)10/10
Part of the historic district of William Brown Street · district meter 69/100, Landmark
An index of the documented time and history held by this place, part of Old Town Liverpool's Quantum Energy Mapping. How it is measured.
Old Town Liverpool guides
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Tours that start nearby
- Bus tours · Sightseeing from £15 per adult City Explorer Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour City Explorer Liverpool (Maghull Coaches) Times, prices & meeting point
- Beatles · Bus tours from £20 per adult Beatles Explorer Bus Tour City Explorer Liverpool (Maghull Coaches) Times, prices & meeting point
- River cruises · Sightseeing from £14 per adult Mersey Ferries River Explorer Cruise Mersey Ferries Times, prices & meeting point
Around St George's Hall
Sources: Wikipedia: St George's Hall, Liverpool; Food Standards Agency food hygiene rating data (Open Government Licence v3.0), updated 16 October 2026.