Town Hall

Town Hall

This impressive ashlar building uses stone from the Ringby quarries at Swalesmoor and features lead roofs throughout. The structure is rectangular in plan, aligned approximately north-south with the north side angled inwards, and is dominated by a lavishly decorated tower and spire at the south-west corner.

The building comprises two main storeys above a part basement. The exterior displays rusticated stonework at basement level with rectangular windows, while the main storeys feature arcading, orders of engaged columns, and round-arched windows. A steep mansard roof with cresting and corner turrets crowns the composition.

The south-west tower is the most ornate element. A balustrade with domed belvederes at the corners separates the tower from the square plan spire above, which carries four clock faces flanked by engaged columns with statuary. Above these are representations of the four continents and angels, followed by three further stages decorated with cresting, round-arched windows, an upper modillion balcony with ironwork balustrade, and a weather vane.

The south elevation comprises four bays to the right of the tower, with three bays to the left deeply recessed and arcaded. The eastern bay forms a corner pavilion extending three bays onto the east elevation. A further single bay pavilion stands at the north-east corner with nine bays between, including a plain basement-level entrance.

The west elevation features an arched and balustraded portico entrance at its southern end, extending from the base of the tower and carrying the old coat of arms of Halifax on three sides along with carved heads representing Wisdom, Justice and Mercy. A raised entrance with decorative iron lamp standards sits halfway along this elevation, with a further entrance towards the north end. The north elevation onto Broad Street is less ornate than the remainder of the building.

The interior is modelled around a double-height square central hall with the Council Chamber (former court) alongside and offices on all sides over two floors. The main entrance at the south-west leads directly to an imperial staircase rising from the main floor, lit from a large dome of coloured glass above. Two wall paintings by J C Horsley and one by Daniel Maclise adorn the staircase, while a lift in the entrance hall provides access to the basement and upper levels.

To the left lies the Victoria Hall, a double-height central space featuring a gallery and glazed roof. The floor incorporates a mosaic in marble, stone and encaustic tile with the Halifax coat of arms, statuary and decorative plasterwork. The gallery is supported on ribbed and groined arches with a wrought iron balustrade, while the upper level displays round-arched bays flanked by Corinthian pilasters leading into surrounding rooms.

The ground floor contains committee rooms and offices, some with decorative plasterwork, and a storeroom formerly part of the ground floor of the Borough Court. The first floor houses the former Mayor's Parlour (now Chief Executive's office), former Council Chamber (now Councillors' Tea Room), former Reception Room (now Mayor's Parlour), and further offices. The former upper part of the Court Room was horizontally divided in 1901 to create the Council Chamber, which retains an original stained glass ceiling. The former Reception Room, now Mayor's Parlour, features an ornate fireplace and built-in oak furniture, and both this room and the former Council Chamber possess fine plaster ceilings designed by Barry. The basement contains surviving prison cells, some retaining original doors and fittings.

The Town Hall forms part of an important group of listed buildings on Crossley Street, Princess Street, Wesley Court and Town Hall Street East.