Hackney Town Hall

Hackney Town Hall is a town hall constructed between 1934 and 1937 by Lanchester & Lodge. It is a Grade II listed building, recognized for its group value. The building is faced with Portland stone ashlar, channelled at ground floor level, and features flat roofs. It has a free-standing square plan with central rectangular areas flanking a main axis. The main, western entrance is fronted by formal walled civic gardens.

The building is three stories high, with a semi-basement. The symmetrical main front has thirteen windows arranged in a 4:1:3:1:4 grouping around a central block, flanked by lower, slightly projecting bays and recessed outer bays. Metal Crittal windows with glazing bars are present throughout, with five central first-floor windows being round-arched and topped with keystones, leading to a stone balcony supported by large brackets. A central, architraved entrance is accessed by a wide flight of two-stage steps. A plain band sits above the ground floor, followed by plain aprons above the first-floor windows. A simplified entablature forms a parapet, except for the central, higher bays which have a shallow pediment and carved coat of arms below a clock.

The south return features fifteen windows with a central ground floor projection, and the three left-hand bays create a three-doorway entrance to assembly rooms. The first floor of the assembly rooms has three round-arched windows. The north return similarly has fifteen windows, a central ground floor projection, and attached plain stone gate piers with cast iron pedestrian and vehicle gates of a linear design, originally serving a carpark. The eastern rear elevation has eleven windows and a central entrance, with a bracketed stone balcony above the central three windows. The first floor windows are round-arched, except for the slightly projecting end bays. Cast iron railings are attached to areas on all elevations.

The interiors are exceptionally unaltered and retain Art Deco decorations and furnishings, all part of the original design, including fine light fittings, panelling, floor surfaces, and doors. The entrance hall features half-column light fittings, marble stairs, and brass balustrades of a linear design, leading to a top-lit landing with pillar lights, providing access to panelled committee rooms and the Council Chamber. The double-height Council Chamber is panelled to half-height with various woods, reflected in the U-plan stalls, and has a panelled ceiling, along with a press and public gallery at the rear. The Mayor’s Parlour and Members’ Room retain original furnishings. Three first-floor Assembly Rooms can be combined into one room with a stage at the rear, which has a separate entrance. Hackney Town Hall forms a group with the adjacent civic gardens.