Bluecoat Chambers

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Building information
Bluecoat Chambers
Town	Liverpool
Country	England
Construction start date	1716
Style	Queen Anne style

The Bluecoat in Liverpool, England, is the oldest building in the city centre. It was built c.1717 in the Queen Anne style to house a school for poor children. The school, then known as The Liverpool Blue Coat School, moved to new premises in 1906, but the building was preserved as an arts centre owing to its cultural significance, and has survived the growth of the city around it, tucked in just a few metres away from the shopping district. In 1911, a significant and controversial Post-Impressionist exhibition took place, including works by Picasso, Matisse, Cezanne, and Van Gogh and the first ever UK exhibition of these artists outside London ^[1].

Currently closed for a £12.5 million pound refurbishment and the construction of a new arts wing, comprising 4 galleries and a performance studio, the Bluecoat re-opens on 15 March 2008. As part of the 2008 European Capital of Culture, the Bluecoat is planning an appearance by world-famous experimental artist Yoko Ono.

The Bluecoat will be an exciting cultural hub for Liverpool. Visitors will be able to experience art from creation through to consumption. The Bluecoat will be home to a range of creative industry, artists and retail tenants as well as a new restaurant-bar and espresso 'grab and go'.