Description

TQ 3483
788/4/7

CAMBRIDGE HEATH ROAD, E2 (east side)
Town Hall

27/9/73

II
Town hall. 1910 by Percy Robinson FRIBA (1868-1950) with W Alban Jones; eastern extension 1937-39 by E.C.P Monson FRIBA (1872-1941). Portland stone with slate roof.

EXTERIOR: two storeys above basement. Edwardian part consists of a three bay west facade with cupola over arched recess above entrance, with sculptural group of Charity by Henry Poole over the door and banded rustication to ground floor. Nine bay north facade with sculpture of justice by Henry Poole under Diocletion window and pediment. Tall windows within enriched frames to first floor. Inter-war extension to east continues the earlier buildings cornice level but has an attic storey above. It consists of a three storey 19-bay front with a central three bay pedimented centre, with floral panels at second floor level of the centrepiece with relief of the Blind Beggar of Bethnal Green upon the balcony over the entrance.

INTERIOR: extensive original features remain. The Edwardian town hall has an entrance, stairwell and first floor landing with veined marble floors, lining to walls and balusters to stairs and lit by a glazed dome; armorial glass to the stairwell. Two Committee Rooms and the former Mayor's Parlour along the Cambridge Heath Road elevation, lined with Austrian oak panelling. Former Council Chamber opposite stairs: stage and former public gallery have been enclosed for office use. Plaster figures by Henry Poole depicting Truth and Happiness on west wall and Industry and Temperance on the east (presently hidden from sight).

The 1937-39 extension interior has a marble-lined entrance hall with inlaid marble floor, and imperial staircase, lined with Travertine and retaining numerous original light fittings, stair posts, square columns and pilasters faced in veined brown-grey marble. First floor landing with pedimented door surrounds of Hopton Wood stone. New Council Chamber retains its original benches, desks, mayor's seat and gallery, all panelled with Australian walnut, and its heraldic glass. Sequence of former Committee Rooms along the Patriot Square elevation with maple veneer panelling and divided by folding doors. Former Mayor's Room with mahogany panelling, contemporary fireplace, shelving and teak floor, opposite another similar room.

Listing NGR: TQ3497983076

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Town Hall at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q26318353

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Surrey (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Churches: An Architectural Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  Suffolk: East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Sussex: West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Staffordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Berkshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)