FUTURE Of Iconic Greenock Custom House Secured As Five-Year Transformation Finishes
A £4.1MILLION makeover for Greenock’s historic Custom House has been completed — and the public can see the results during this September’s Doors Open weekend.
The landmark building’s interior has been completely refurbished over the last five years.
Regeneration company Riverside Inverclyde acquired interest in the Custom House in January 2011, shortly after HM Custom and Excise vacated the culturally important building which was at that time in danger of falling into disrepair. Phased works to revitalise the structure, which was built in 1818 — started in 2012.
Riverside Inverclyde’s acting chief executive Fiona Maguire said: “Upgrading the building has required a complex restoration programme including a sophisticated fire strategy, structural and acoustics requirements, and the need for strict compliance with the then Historic Scotland Grade A listed building conditions which all placed difficult demands on the design team.
“The project was not without difficulties for all parties, but the results are testament to the quality that such an impressive building merits.”
Key early stage works included a re-modelled courtyard entrance and disabled access to the ground and first floors.
Riverside Inverclyde’s chair Gerry McCarthy said: “Riverside Inverclyde’s plans for rescuing this classic building and bringing it into economic use have proven to be visionary. Where once the future looked bleak for this grand building as it lay vacant, it is now populated by a combination of renowned global and local ambitious companies.
“Riverside Inverclyde has secured the future of this wonderful building, bringing prestigious office accommodation and jobs into the heart of Greenock town centre. Now that the final phase has been completed, we look forward to attracting growth companies to Inverclyde. PG Paper Company Ltd and Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions are already established tenants in the building. Custom House is a superb example of the continuing regeneration of Inverclyde”.
The final phase has transformed The Long Room, the northern vestibule entrance and the grand staircase and maintains the high standards of quality fittings throughout the previous work.
The refurbished premises offer multi-occupancy office suites of various sizes, all to a high specification, from 289 sq ft to 3,896 sq ft.
Martin Speirs of Cushman & Wakefield, letting agents for the Custom House, said: “This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful office spaces in the Inverclyde area, if not the west coast of Scotland – you really have to see it to appreciate the grandeur of space and the elegance of this historic building. The West Wing suite would make a great head office and we expect there to be a lot of interest both locally and from other parts of Scotland.”
Details of the Doors Open Day access will be announced nearer the time.
