Corporation Square occupies the site of Ritchie's Dock, which has long since been filled up, the Harbour Office occupying the site of the shipbuilding yard of William Ritchie. It is to be noted that the name does not mean the City Corporation, but preserves an earlier name of the Harbour Board, which was a "Corporation for the preservation and improvement of the Port and Harbour of Belfast.” (John J. Marshall) The Belfast And Province Of Ulster Directory 1852 mentions Corporation Square on several occasions and lists various business owners with addresses there.