United States Custom House

*Greater Portland Landmarks does not own, operate, or rent out the US Custom House. Please contact GSA employee Scott Boucher.

312 Fore Street, Portland, Maine

historic significance

Built in granite to replace the former Custom House that burned during the Great Fire of 1866, construction of the current U.S. Custom House in Portland was completed in 1871 at a cost of nearly $500,000- about $15 million today. The architect, Alfred B. Mullet, designed State, Army, and Navy buildings across the country, including the South Wing of the Treasury Building in Washington D.C. Portland’s Custom House is considered the best example of Mullet’s work in the state. It is an individually designated local Landmark and is contributing to the Portland Waterfront (also known as the Old Port) local historic district as well as individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places due to its national historic significance. Following the removal of the U.S. Customs offices, the building has been used by other federal offices and employees. During that transition the building underwent a comprehensive restoration to correct damage from water infiltration, but underinvestment in the structure since then has resulted in an estimate $2 million of deferred maintenance as of 2026.

The Issue

In 2025, Portland’s Custom House appeared on the U.S. General Services Administration’s (GSA) website on a list of federally owned properties to be disposed of. Alarmed, members of the community connected with Greater Portland Landmarks and we hosted an open house at the Custom House so that Portland residents could experience the historic interiors- some for the first time despite decades of living in the city. Those concerned members of the community have formed an advocacy group called Friends of the U.S. Custom House - Portland, ME (the Friends) and have been working closely with GPL to find solutions for the site.

We learned that a federal review panel, the Public Building Reform Board, had been tasked with assessing federally owned property to recommend properties for disposal, which could result in other federal uses, conveyance to other entities, or sale. Portland’s Custom House is included in the third round of buildings to be reviewed by that board and a recommendation is expected in the fall of 2026. GPL and the Friends have met with City of Portland elected officials, Maine’s Congressional delegation, and other local stakeholders to discuss the future of the building, and in July 2026 engaged a consulting firm to complete a feasibility study that will analyze possible future uses for the Custom House. Both organizations are informing the Public Building Reform Board of our interest in being a part of the future of this building.

Our Position

For a century the existing U.S. Custom House was a hub of local activity in Portland. Over the years, the building has become stagnant and is in need of significant investment. With vision, leadership, and collaboration, the Custom House could once again welcome the public with spaces dedicated to local history and art, event space, nonprofit offices, and much more. We hope to work with the federal government to find the best future for this valuable resource in the heart of historic Portland.

2014 Preservation Award Winner!

Project Team:
Oak Point Associates, Architects
General Services Administration, Client & Property Manager
CCB, Inc., General Contractors
TECTA America, Roofing Contractor
Building Conservation Associates, Historic Preservation Consultant
Masonry Preservation Associates, Masonry Contractor
Peter Lord Plaster & Paint, Plaster Contractor

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