The Custom House in the City of London is a hub of commerce and culture. It's home to the London Metal Exchange, which is the world's largest marketplace for metals trading.
The Custom House is situated on the River Thames, providing easy access to international trade routes. This strategic location has contributed to its importance in the city's economy.
The Custom House has a rich history dating back to the 18th century. It was originally built as a customs and excise office, responsible for collecting taxes on imported goods.
Today, the Custom House is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, offering stunning views of the river and the city skyline.
History of Custom House
The Custom House has a rich and varied history that spans over six centuries.
The first Custom House was built on the site as early as 1377, with a custom house being necessary to levy the duty payable on exported wool.
The building was privately owned and was used to collect dues for the City of London.
In 1382, the Crown came to an agreement to use the facilities, and John Churchman's custom house remained in use until 1559.
This structure was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666.
The post-fire replacement was designed by Christopher Wren and was a three-storey building with octagonal staircase towers.
However, it was short-lived and was damaged by a fire in 1715.
A new, larger structure was built to the designs of Thomas Ripley, and the main body of the new building had the same plan as Wren's but was of three storeys.
The site was long known as "Wool Quay", and the Custom House was rebuilt on the present site in 1814-17.
The present building was designed by David Laing and was erected on the site of a number of wharves and keys, including Bear Key Stairs and Bear Quay.
It was originally intended to be a smaller building, but it was expanded to the design of Robert Smirke in 1828.
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Custom House Building
The Custom House Building was a major project in the early 19th century, driven by the growth of trade and the need for larger premises.
The new building was designed by David Laing and began in October 1813, on a site immediately to the west of Ripleys's building. It was completed in 1814.
Laing's design featured a plain northern front and a more ornate south front towards the river, with Ionic colonnades and a projecting centre section.
The south front was decorated with terracotta figures in bas-relief by John Charles Felix Rossi and J. G. Bubb, representing various themes. A clock dial, nine feet in diameter, was supported by colossal figures symbolising Industry and Plenty.
The building's interior included warehouses, cellars, about 170 offices, and a "Long room", measuring 190 by 66 feet. The Queen's warehouse had a rib-vaulted ceiling, and the cellars in the basement were fireproof and used to store wine and spirits.
However, the quality of some of the workmanship was poor, prompting questions in Parliament in 1825. Miles and Peto were censured for neglect and poor workmanship that a good builder would carefully have avoided.
The issues with the workmanship included:
- Instead of paying 1 shilling per pile to the pile drivers, Miles and Peto only paid 3+1⁄2d per pile.
- They invoiced for 104,000 ft of piling, but only 53,300 ft was actually driven.
- They charged for certain arches as if they were solid brickwork, but they were actually filled with chalk lime and stone waste.
- The south front steps were charged as if they were solid brickwork, but they were also filled with stone waste.
- Stone paving was charged as if it were 6 inches thick, but it was actually only 4+1⁄2 inches thick.
- The roof boarding under the slates was charged for as new and the best materials, but it was actually re-used old boarding.
The central section of the building was later rebuilt on new foundations, with Ionic columns, to Robert Smirke’s design, at the cost of £180,000.
Future Plans
Custom House, a historic Grade I listed building, could be turned into a luxury 179-room hotel. This is according to new plans submitted to the local authority.
The hotel will feature a spa and food and drink spaces, making it a welcoming destination for visitors. A previous application to develop the site was rejected in 2022, but these new plans seem to be a step in the right direction.
The developer, Jastar Capital, has a cultural strategy of establishing a "golden thread" through key historic spaces, including a public ground-floor route through the former King's Warehouse. This will give visitors a glimpse into the building's rich history.
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A new café and a public quayside space are also part of the plans, which will make the site more accessible to the public all year round. The Thames Path will be opened up to make it easier for people to explore the area.
Jay Matharu from Jastar Capital is thrilled about the proposal, saying it will "bring this iconic London landmark back to life".
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns the custom house?
Jastar Capital owns the Custom House, a Grade 1 listed building located on the north bank of the River Thames. The building was previously owned by Mapeley Steps, but was purchased by Jastar Capital for an undisclosed sum.
What happens at Customs House?
Customs House is where officials oversee the import and export of goods, collecting duties on imported items
Sources
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