Port Trust & Custom House Office at Ballard Pier (Code: 146) – Mounted and Wooden Frame

Before 1911, the Custom department at Mumbai was accommodated in two main buildings namely the Fort Custom House and the Branch Custom House at the Princess Docks.

In view of the increase in the volume of trade and customs clearances, the Department of Commerce and Industry of the Government of India, decided to construct a New Custom House in Ballard Estate. The construction was completed in 1913. However, with the start of the First World War it was converted into a military hospital (the vestiges of which can still be seen in the white tiles on the walls of staircase next to the entrance). The building was formally handed over to the Customs Department in 1922 when it shifted from the Old Custom House.

The New Custom House was designed by George Wittet, then Consulting Architect to the Government of Bombay, in what came to be known as the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture, which he introduced to the city with his senior and predecessor John Begg. Wittet is best known for designing the Gateway of India, built to commemorate the visit of King George the Vth in 1911. Other notable buildings designed by Wittet are Prince of Wales Museum (now Chattrapati Shivaji Vaastu Sangrahalaya) near Kala Ghoda, Small Causes Court at Dhobi Talao, KEM Hospital, etc.