 In 1934 the Cunard Steamship Company merged with the White Star Line to form Cunard White Star Line , which became the largest passenger steamship company in the world , helping to make Liverpool one of the most important centres of the British trans @-@ Atlantic ocean liner industry . The Cunard building subsequently acted as the central headquarters for the newly merged firm , with both administrative and ship @-@ designing facilities located within the building . Many ships and liners were developed and designed at the Cunard Building , including the RMS Queen Mary and RMS Queen Elizabeth . Given that Liverpool was a major trans @-@ Atlantic port and due to the building 's proximity to the River Mersey , the lower floors of the Cunard Building were allocated to provide space for cruise liner passengers , both prior to and after sailing . Within the building there were passenger facilities including separate waiting rooms for first , second and third class passengers , a booking hall , luggage storage space , and a currency exchange . The building also provided facilities for both land and sea based Cunard employees . During the Second World War , the sub @-@ basement level of the Cunard Building was used as an air raid shelter for workers in the building and also for those from adjacent premises . The basement levels also served as the central Air Raid Precautions headquarters for the City of Liverpool during the war . Additional reinforced steel joists were fitted to further strengthen the basement in case of a direct hit on the building . 
