Former H.M.Immigration Office

The former H.M. Immigration Office is a three-storey building constructed in 1898, featuring a fine Portland stone Classical facade set against a brick structure. The design exhibits influences from the 16th and 17th centuries, with stone chimney stacks and a parapet adorned with urns and panelled swagged ornamentation. Each floor is highlighted by cornices, with a dentil cornice on the second floor, Ionic pilasters, and a modillion cornice on the first floor, which also includes a full Classical frieze and Doric pilasters. The building has recessed mullion and transom windows, with two-light windows in the outer bays and a four-light window in the centre, all featuring sill bands.

The ground floor is marked with the date 1898, and showcases a shallow round-arched central window with an architrave, topped by a crown over the keystone. The flanking windows are embellished with pulvinated friezes and egg and dart cornices. A cornice on the ground floor extends to the right over an attached Portland stone screen wall, which includes a similar round arch leading to a decorative iron-gated entrance that opens into a small courtyard. The side elevation is constructed of glazed stock brick and features simpler windows of a similar design.

Inside, the entrance hall includes paired arches supported by pink granite Doric columns and pilasters on the left. To the left is a large office facing the street. At the far end of the hall, a staircase with wrought-iron banisters leads to a landing that opens into a large enquiry room. This room features a panelled wood counter and screens, a high ceiling with sunk panels (some of which are glazed), simple moulded beams, and blind arcading on the north wall. There are also smaller offices in a similar style, including one above the entrance that has a black marble fireplace.