The old central storehouses were built following a decision by the Ministry of the Interior in 1844 and comprise the oldest public edifices in Piraeus. They were designed by Stamatis Kleanthis and were completed in 1850. They were close to the Customs House, at the heart of the port’s commercial activities. Today the sea has retreated some distance due to the expansion of the quays and the addition of the New Passenger Terminal, but at the time of their construction the storehouses were on the water’s edge.