Day 17
Custom House
Custom House is a Category A-listed building, prominently situated on Commercial Street, across the water from Leith Shore. Its size and purpose are a testament to the importance of Leith’s historic port.
The building was commissioned by the Scottish Boards of Customs and Excise and constructed between 1810 and 1812. When first built, Custom House was prominently visible from the sea and adjacent to the entrance of the new East and West Docks. Designed by architect Robert Reid, the building is an early example of the Greek Revival style, which was later used for a number of other prominent Edinburgh buildings. The style is most obviously visible in the two large Doric columns, topped by a pediment containing the Royal Arms of King George III. The arms, made of carved and painted wood, are original to the building and signify the governmental purpose for which it was intended.
After the completion of a new collections facility at Granton in 2015, the National Museum of Scotland planned to sell Custom House for redevelopment. However, with the help of City of Edinburgh Council, the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust (SHBT) stepped in to restore the building and help preserve it for public use. After an initial round of community consultation, SHBT have appointed Richard Murphy Architects to develop a feasibility study for Custom House. This will consider a variety of options for the building to ensure its long-term sustainability. In the meantime, under SHBT’s management, Custom House has re-opened and now operates as a flexible venue for both long-term tenants and one-off events.
What would you like to see this fantastic building become?
Thanks to the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust for writing this piece for Leith For Ever and supplying all the images of the stunning Custom House.