Old Custom House

GLOUCESTER

SO8218NE THE QUAY 844-1/7/369 (East side) 23/01/52 Old Custom House

GV II

Custom House from c1700 until 1800, subsequently used for various purposes, now offices. Early C18 with a late C18 addition to the front built by agreement with the City Council in order to increase the office accommodation for the customs officers; an addition at rear originally a dwelling. Ashlar, rendered brick, slate roof. A narrow rectangular block; the upper floors of the addition to the front are supported on a colonnade facing the quay; the ground floor originally a large store room, offices on the upper floors. EXTERIOR: three storeys; on the ground floor the colonnade with two slender cast-iron columns between ashlar corner piers and at each return end an archway with impost blocks, cornice at first-floor level; the extension above the colonnade two bays in width and one-bay deep is framed by shallow, giant pilasters, slightly inset at the corners, and with moulded bases and capitals; crowning entablature with panelled parapet with moulded coping; on the front on each upper floor two sashes and on each side on the first floor a sash and and on the second floor an infilled window; all the sashes with glazing bars (3x4 panes) in similar openings with moulded sills; set centrally on the front between the first and second floors a weathered stone panel carved with the royal arms. INTERIOR: not inspected. HISTORY: in 1724 the Corporation agreed to give land, either for an extension or a new building.

Listing NGR: SO8272418764