Chesterfield Town Hall

Chesterfield Town Hall is a town hall dating from 1933 to 1938, designed by A.J. Hope of Bradshaw Gass and Hope of Bolton. It is constructed of orange brick with Portland stone dressings and hipped plain tile roofs. The building is three storeys high, with a hidden basement. The basement is ashlar, and the ground floor is rusticated ashlar, featuring a deeply moulded eaves cornice and a brick parapet with short sections of stone balustrade over the windows.

The main south front has 23 windows, with a five-window projecting central section and widely spaced single windows at either end. A central flight of four stone steps is flanked by urns, leading to three round arches flanked by single windows with grills. Above this is a sexastyle portico with giant Corinthian columns supporting a broad pediment with a central oval window. Behind the portico are six pilasters, with three sets of French windows flanked by single sashes on the ground floor, and five sashes above. To either side of the central section are eight sashes on each floor; beyond the end windows are more widely spaced and to the first floor are ashlar surrounds with columns supporting curved pediments.

The end facades each have seven windows, featuring a recessed central section on the upper two floors with two giant Corinthian columns in antis. The rear facade has 23 windows, including a five-window central projecting section. The central section features a projecting bow housing the council chamber, with five taller cross casement windows on the ground floor and, above, three tall sash windows with blind panels spanning the two upper floors. Single windows are located on either side, and beyond are set-back wings, each with eight sashes. The final outer bays are wider, featuring single sashes set in ashlar surrounds.

The interior features original entrance doors, including a central revolving door, and a foyer with reception kiosks. A central staircase hall contains an elaborate stone staircase to the principal floor, with solid balusters topped with mahogany handrails and brass fittings. Square stone columns support a coffered ceiling. Committee rooms have very elaborate contemporary panelling, doors, fitted mirrors, and panelled radiator housings. The Mayor’s Parlour includes similar decoration, with wooden fireplaces and fitted cupboards. The Council Chamber, rising through two floors, has a D-plan, with giant wall columns supporting a classical panelled ceiling. Fitted galleries are positioned on either side, along with fitted seating for councillors in a D-plan. Throughout the building, most original fittings remain, including all doors in the public spaces—the brass and glass lift shafts are present, though the lifts themselves have been replaced.