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.
@darbians and I spotted the building whilst driving through Dundee from another location last year, and headed back across the bridge to check it out. We didn't get in that day, but it was added to the list of buildings to return to. During a recent trip to Scotland with @The Amateur Wanderer we made a last minute decision to head over to Dundee for a better look, and had a bit more success this time.
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
What better place to start than at the front door...
The entrance lobby had seen better days
The building's side entrance looked a bit better
There wasn't much more to see on the ground floor, so we'll start to head upstairs...
The first floor featured some nice tiles
And some nice old brass signs
The Harbour Clerk's office featured Dundee Port Authority carpet!
From the Harbour Clerk's office these doors lead into a grand boardroom
The boardroom
Crest of the Dundee Port Authority carved into the fireplace
The clock says "Ritchie & Sons, Edinburgh. 1884"
Let's take that old lift up to the next floor then.....
Date of installation: 1949
The lift machinery
The Harbourmaster's Office with some retro light fittings
One of the many offices on the third floor
Cooker in the staff canteen. Imagine how many eggs would have been boiled on that!
41 sex change operations on the NHS - that's surprising for a newspaper dated 1969
Continued...
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.
@darbians and I spotted the building whilst driving through Dundee from another location last year, and headed back across the bridge to check it out. We didn't get in that day, but it was added to the list of buildings to return to. During a recent trip to Scotland with @The Amateur Wanderer we made a last minute decision to head over to Dundee for a better look, and had a bit more success this time.
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
What better place to start than at the front door...
The entrance lobby had seen better days
The building's side entrance looked a bit better
There wasn't much more to see on the ground floor, so we'll start to head upstairs...
The first floor featured some nice tiles
And some nice old brass signs
The Harbour Clerk's office featured Dundee Port Authority carpet!
From the Harbour Clerk's office these doors lead into a grand boardroom
The boardroom
Crest of the Dundee Port Authority carved into the fireplace
The clock says "Ritchie & Sons, Edinburgh. 1884"
Let's take that old lift up to the next floor then.....
Date of installation: 1949
The lift machinery
The Harbourmaster's Office with some retro light fittings
One of the many offices on the third floor
Cooker in the staff canteen. Imagine how many eggs would have been boiled on that!
41 sex change operations on the NHS - that's surprising for a newspaper dated 1969
Continued...
