For over 150 years, the Harbour Office has been the HQ of the Belfast Harbour Commissioners, the body charged with the operation, maintenance and development of Belfast Harbour. The first section of the building, designed by the Commissioner Engineer George Smith and erected at a cost of £8000 was opened in 1854. An Extension by architect William Henry Lynn was completed in 1895 at a cost of £14349. The architectural style reflects that of an Italian Palazzo.
