As part of the concession agreement signed for the second phase of the port, it was decided to construct a modern customs building and warehouses along with the İzmir Customs Building. Together with the İzmir Customs Building, the structure known as Pasaport Pier, which was built as part of the concession agreement signed for the second phase of the port, was constructed along a 150-meter-long line extending from the land towards the sea. The customs administration used the first building on the landside for passport control and was therefore named the “passport building”. The larger building extending towards the sea served as the port operations building. Both buildings were damaged during the Great Fire of İzmir and were left in ruins. Later, two new structures were built in their place to function as a police station and a passenger pier. These buildings underwent extensive restoration in the 2000s and continue to serve as a passenger pier today. Additionally, the Maritime Police Station and the İzmir Travel Health Center are also located here.
The passport building on the land side also lent its name to the surrounding area. The district where the building stands has been known as Pasaport for nearly 150 years. This is a significant example of how a single building can be prominent in a city’s culture and collective memory. Today, for an İzmir resident, Pasaport is more than just an official document used for international travel; it is the name of a place filled with memories and experiences.
Port Administration, Present-day Pasaport Pier, Sébah & Joaillier, 1890