The Wallasey Hydraulic Tower

Standing on the banks of the East Float, the Wallasey Hydraulic Tower and Engine House once provided power to the locks and bridges of Birkenhead Docks.

Palazzo Vecchio

 Designed by Jesse Hartley, the building copied the style of Palazzo Vecchio in Firenze. Hartley was Civil Engineer and Superintendent of Liverpool's Dock Estate from 1824 until 1860. He learned his skills working for the notable architect John Carr and for the Duke of Devonshire. He was responsible for the construction of many of the Mersey docks and warehouses including Albert Dock.

The tower was completed in 1863 but has been derelict since the docks fell into disuse. It had been damaged during the Second World War and suffered further in the 50's when an accumulator pump failed. Although it was rebuilt, the restoration was hardly sympathetic and the distinctive lantern was not replaced.

 Now within Peel Group's Wirral Waters development scheme, there are proposals to renovate the power station and its' remaining equipment. This design by  Falconer, Chester, Hall Architects of Liverpool includes an adjacent visitors centre and landscaping of the site to include dockside pontoons. Old railway sidings crossing the land would be retained and the nearby museum tramway might even be extended to run alongside.