{{Short description|Heritage-listed building in Geelong, Victoria, Australia}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}} {{Use Australian English|date=August 2019}} The '''Geelong Customs House''' is a bluestone and freestone classical style public building in Geelong, Victoria, built in 1855. It replaced a small timber prefabricated building of 1838, which was later relocated to the Geelong Botanic Gardens.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.onmydoorstep.com.au/heritage-listing/19236/first-customs-house-including-interior--botanical-gardens |title=First Customs House Including Interior Botanical Gardens, Onmydoorstep |access-date=18 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051145/http://www.onmydoorstep.com.au/heritage-listing/19236/first-customs-house-including-interior--botanical-gardens |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
thumb|right|Geelong Customs House
The Customs House was erected near the Geelong foreshore to serve the needs of the colonial administration during the peak of the gold rushes.<ref>Stekelenburg, I.J., 'H.M. Customs House, Geelong'. History Research Essay, Department of Architecture, University of Melbourne</ref> The building was designed by John James Clark<ref>Dodd, Andrew, John James Clark: Public Architect in Australia, unpublished PhD thesis, University of Melbourne 2009.</ref> and constructed by William Crocker Cornish in April 1855. The Geelong Customs House is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register,<ref>[http://vhd.heritage.vic.gov.au/?nosession=1#detail_places;18398 Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) Number H1892]</ref> and City of Greater Geelong Heritage Overlay.<ref>Geelong Heritage Overlay Numbers HO130 , HO1638</ref> The building is no longer used for its original purpose, but was restored in 2012, winning a National Trust Award.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nationaltrust.org.au/vic/HeritageAwards2013 |title=2013 National Trust Heritage Awards |access-date=18 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617080038/http://www.nationaltrust.org.au/vic/HeritageAwards2013 |archive-date=17 June 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It previously housed offices and the 'Custom House Restaurant and Wine Bar'.<ref>[http://www.customshouse.biz/ Welcome to Customs House Restaurant & Wine Bar]</ref> As of September 2024, the City of Greater Geelong announced it would refurbish the interior of the building to house a new Design and Creative Hub.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/cityofdesign/news/item/8dcd65ca41d02d6.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241125034602/https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/cityofdesign/news/item/8dcd65ca41d02d6.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 November 2024 |title=Grant breathes life into Customs House |access-date=21 October 2024 }}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
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Category:Customs houses in Australia Category:Buildings and structures in Geelong Category:Neoclassical architecture in Australia Category:Heritage-listed buildings in Greater Geelong