About Us - Our Journey - Custom House Belfast

A 21st-Century Service in a 19th-Century Building

The beginning

Queen’s University Belfast, Linenhall Library, Belfast Castle, Botanic Gardens, and many more. It’s fair to say that architect Sir Charles Lanyon left his mark in Northern Ireland, designing some of the country’s most iconic and historic buildings.

One of his most impressive creations – the Grade B+ listed building Custom House, built in the 1850s, stands proudly in the heart of Belfast today. Over the years, Custom House was home to the Belfast main Post Office, the original Inland Revenue Office, a contraband vault (just ask, we will tell you) and most recently HMRC.

Our iconic building has witnessed not only the city’s evolution over the years but has also been a silent witness to Belfast’s historic journey.

The journey

Over the years, Custom House has been home to various government departments, including most recently HMRC.

Recognising the untapped potential of Custom House, Northern Ireland native Neil McKibbin from Straidorn Properties purchased the building in 2021 to provide ambitious companies with unique office space.

With a profound understanding of the building’s historic and strategic importance, Neil embarked on a £14m refurbishment and modernisation programme.

Since then, it has transformed.

The present

Despite facing challenges such as Brexit, Covid-19 and other major global events – Custom House stands resilient and is now sending out a clear message: Belfast is very much open for business.

Boasting a massive floor space of 58,000 sq ft over four levels, Custom House is at the heart of business in Belfast and invites you to be a part of its narrative.

Our Values

At Custom House, we weave our values into the fabric of Belfast’s history and future. Respect for our heritage has guided us to preserve the building’s historic integrity while infusing it with modern comfort to create a dynamic and supportive community where individuals and companies can grow.

We’ve designed our working spaces to be inspirational and customised them to individual needs. From enviable office spaces to a suite of exceptional services, we invite you to grow with us.