Harbour Chambers and Custom House, Dundee, Scotland
Harbour Chambers and Custom House were the headquarters of the Dundee Port Authority. The Grade A listed building is now disused.
Visited December 2017 Dundee, Scotland, UK
Harbour Chambers and Custom House is a unique Grade A listed landmark building located in the heart of the waterfront between City Quay and the Central Waterfront zones. Formerly the Dundee Port Authority headquarters, this late Georgian mansion style building has recently been purchased by Apex Hotels who own the adjacent Apex City Quay Hotel.
Construction to the plans of architects John Taylor and James Leslie commenced in 1842 and took around one year. An extension was added to the rear in 1884 including ground floor level vaults.
The building, one of the largest port authority headquarters in the country, is a reminder of the importance of the city as a sea-port in the 19th century and the wealth of the trade passing though the harbour.
Custom House has been completely stripped out, and unfortunately not much of interest remains inside. Harbour Chambers, on the other hand, although empty of furniture still contains many of the original features and 1940s embellishments which proved to be quite interesting. The attic was a real treasure trove of history, with may documents dating back to the 1940s and 50s, showing the comings and goings of ships and their cargo, staff wages, purchases, etc. There were even some records and newspaper clippings from World War II.
Custom House
Sadly completely stripped out, just a staircase and some empty rooms really…
Harbour Chambers
1842 Extension
The Attic
Heading up into the attic, we find documents dating back to the 1940s
What a fantastic building. I hope it is listed and conserved. I saw this building every day, growing up in Dock Street, but was never inside it. Not sure if my father ever went inside because he was tug boat master until 1954.
Amazing always wanted to know what it looked like in side. Plus looking at the wage book i saw an entry with i am are sure was my grandfather who worked on the B L Nairn .thank you
instead of building the V&A this beautiful building could have been used instead I really hope that it gets used for something greater than just rotten away.!!!
Just stayed in Dundee. My Great Grandfather was Harbour Master turn of the 20th century I guess so visited to go back to my roots. Like other comments about the V & A I agree. I hope this building can be renovated then I would gladly go back again. Thanks so much for these pictures.
Now that is nice mate
What a fantastic building. I hope it is listed and conserved. I saw this building every day, growing up in Dock Street, but was never inside it. Not sure if my father ever went inside because he was tug boat master until 1954.
Some of the woodwork is spectacular. Its criminal that this fine building is being left to rot.
as an old dundonian 77 cannot thank you enough for this experience but is an absolute disgrace to have allowed it to fall into such a state of repair
Amazing always wanted to know what it looked like in side.
Plus looking at the wage book i saw an entry with i am are sure was my grandfather who worked on the B L Nairn .thank you
instead of building the V&A this beautiful building could have been used instead I really hope that it gets used for something greater than just rotten away.!!!
Most interesting, and in a shameful state.
Shocking that the council has left the beautiful building to lie empty…better than the v.a..
Just stayed in Dundee. My Great Grandfather was Harbour Master turn of the 20th century I guess so visited to go back to my roots. Like other comments about the V & A I agree. I hope this building can be renovated then I would gladly go back again. Thanks so much for these pictures.