Our team’s design efforts are paying off as work begins on Custom House in Dundee. A site walkthrough with the contractor revealed items forgotten by past users of the grand building, giving hints at Custom House’s previous life as a Harbour Master’s Chambers and Customs House for the city’s shipping port.

Built in 1842 for the Port Authority – this building replaced the Pierson Lodgings as Dundee’s main custom house and was the second largest custom house in Scotland when built. Custom House was in use until 2008 and has been vacant since and was placed on the ‘Buildings At Risk’ soon after. Since then, developer, Alicydon LTD, has worked with jmarchitects on several new redevelopment and conservation schemes for the building, including a hotel and residential plans. As a prime example of Greek Revival, Custom House, is a large and impressive part of the Dundee waterfront landscape, and we have been working with Dundee Council to ensure that Custom House keeps it’s A-Listed status and that all conservation works will be in line with HES guidelines.

jmarchitects’ conversion plan for Custom House will see the building transformed into 20 luxury residential units in the first phase of development, then an additional two phases will add more residential units to the rear of the site, incorporating landscaping between the buildings to create a garden courtyard.

The interior of the building will incorporate as many historic objects and details as we can, preserving fireplaces, cornices, and plaster ceilings and details throughout. Ensuring that once the project is complete, new residents will be able to enjoy the history and grandeur of the building.