The Midland Bank

The Midland Bank, located at 354 Mare Street, is the former Town Hall of Hackney, as noted on its pediment. Originally built in 1802, the building was converted for use as a Town Hall, with alterations made to the doorway in 1900. It has two storeys and features four windows. The exterior is faced with ashlar stone and includes quoins, an entablature with a modillion cornice, and a pediment above two slightly projecting central bays. The tall flanking parapet has balustraded sections. The first floor has sash windows with glazing bars, framed by rusticated architraves with keystones. The ground floor is rusticated, forming voussoirs for round-headed windows that have modern glazing. The central double door is topped with a cornice head and a radial fanlight, set in a moulded architrave with a keystone. The doorcase is adorned with panelled pilasters, lion masks, and wreaths in the frieze, along with a scrolled serpentine open pediment that features a cartouche, garlands, and the date 1900. The side elevations have three bays, with some windows blocked.