FULHAM TOWN HALL (original building and 1904-5 extension)

Fulham Town Hall comprises two linked structures: the original building of 1888–90 facing Fulham Road to the north, and a 1904–5 extension fronting Harwood Road to the southwest, positioned at a 45° angle to the earlier block.

MATERIALS AND SETTING

The façades are clad in Portland stone, with other elevations in stock brick and slate roofs.

PLAN AND LAYOUT

The 1888–90 town hall is organized with ground-floor offices to either side of an axial corridor, a centrally placed main stair on the west side, and a large public hall on the first floor with ancillary rooms. To the southeast stands a linked block containing former committee rooms and council chamber (originally the vestry board room), with a concert hall above. The 1904–5 extension has a large central entrance hall and stair with offices to either side, a mayor's parlour and councillors' retiring room to the rear, and committee rooms and assembly rooms on the first floor.

EXTERIOR OF 1888–90 BUILDING

The north elevation facing Fulham Road displays an Italianate façade in rusticated Portland stone with extensive carved decoration. The symmetrical composition comprises seven bays arranged 2-3-2, with the central part breaking forward slightly and rising to two storeys plus an attic, while the outer bays are two storeys high. The central entrance features a carved tympanum and a cast and wrought-iron canopy with lamps. Windows to either side have semi-circular tympana. First-floor windows lighting the public hall are framed by pilasters with granite columns of Ionic capitals and balconets; the central window projects slightly. The wings have pedimented entrances in the outer bays, and first-floor windows with elaborately carved segmental pediments. A dentilled cornice unites the façade. The attic storey contains three oculi, above which sits a modillion cornice and a segmental pediment broken by a lucarne with an oculus. The porch is fitted with iron gates and bears a bronze wall plaque listing names of mayors. The foundation stone, dated 10 December 1888, is positioned on the base of the pilaster to the left of the entrance.

EXTERIOR OF 1904–5 EXTENSION

The southwest elevation facing Harwood Road is in Edwardian Baroque style, rising two storeys above a basement across five bays. The ground floor and basement are rusticated. The splayed entrance is flanked by coupled columns supporting a balcony; the entrance arch contains rusticated voussoirs and squat columns carved with scroll decoration to the lower shafts and Ionic capitals. The first-floor central bay features a balustraded balcony on scrolled brackets and a tall rusticated round-arched window framed by paired Ionic engaged columns. The outer bays have similar windows with single columns and elongated keystones decorated with swags and female heads; windows in two other bays are tripartite. The entablature breaks forward above the columns and carries a modillion cornice. Outer bays have broken-base triangular pediments; the centre has a broken segmental pediment above which the parapet rises to a higher level, bearing a cast-iron clock on scrolled brackets. The porch walls are furnished with stone aedicules to either side carved with the borough arms, bearing bronze plaques with names of mayors and councillors. The porch floor displays a patterned mosaic with 'Borough of Fulham' in black letters, and the doors are glazed and panelled in a handsome glazed timber surround.

INTERIOR OF 1888–90 BUILDING

A lobby enclosed by two sets of oak glazed panelled doors with carved pediments leads to the entrance hall and stair, which feature inlaid terrazzo floors, pilastered walls, and enriched beamed ceilings. An original glazed timber porter's box stands in the entrance area. The stair half-landing is lit by a tall arched stained-glass window designed by Francis Spear in 1931 and made by Lowndes & Drury, depicting the Bishop of Hereford granting the Manor of Fulham to Erkenwald; this was the gift of Sir William Waldron, a former mayor. The stair divides into two flights at the half-landing, leading to either side of a long gallery that gives access to the large public hall. The gallery features a wrought-iron balustrade, green scagliola columns, and mosaic and terrazzo flooring. The public hall, which seated 1,000 people, contains a series of oak doors with carved pediments, an enriched beamed ceiling with three domes on a deep entablature, and a stage with a proscenium arch added in 1950. Art deco light fittings illuminate the space. The arcaded gallery features green scagliola columns with Composite capitals; similar columns frame the windows. Lunettes above the windows each contain an oculus.

The committee rooms adjacent to the council chamber feature fireplaces and fielded panels to the walls. The council chamber has scagliola pilasters and an enriched coffered ceiling, along with 1930s light fittings. Fixed semi-circular oak seating and the mayor's dais were installed in 1904–5 when the vestry board room was adapted as a council chamber. A public gallery with decorative wrought-iron balustrade overlooks the chamber. A series of stained-glass windows depict historic figures including Charles I and Henrietta Maria, and John Dwight, founder of Fulham Pottery. These windows were made at Brunswick works, Hammersmith, and presented by Councillor W.L. Leonard in 1928. The concert hall above contains scagliola pilasters, a coved ceiling with strapwork borders, and 1930s light fittings. The adjacent room features a scrolled cornice.

INTERIOR OF 1904–5 EXTENSION

The entrance hall, stair landing, and adjacent first-floor corridor are appointed with green marble pilasters, enriched beamed ceilings, and mosaic floors. Office doors to either side have elaborate oak surrounds with art-nouveau leaded glazing to the tympana. A glazed timber porter's box stands to the rear. The grand stair of Hopton Wood marble carries a massive balustrade supporting green marble columns which carry the ceiling.

The mayor's parlour is among the most notable ground-floor rooms, fitted with lavish oak fittings in an Arts and Crafts manner, comprising panelling, fitted seats, a beamed ceiling, inlaid parquet floor, and an elaborate chimneypiece with enamelled glazed tiles. The adjacent WC features blue and green art-nouveau tiling. The former councillors' retiring room adjacent contains oak fitted cupboards and a timber chimneypiece with green tiles and a shelved and hooded overmantel. A private corridor linking these rooms to the council chamber is clad in elaborate art-nouveau relief tiles depicting roses on a dark-red background. A WC leading from the corridor features art-nouveau tiling in green and yellow, with an original panelled cubicle. The office to the left of the entrance possesses an oak chimneypiece, decorative plasterwork, parquet floors, panelling, and fitted cupboards. Other ground-floor rooms have fitted cupboards and parquet floors.

The stair landing features a marble balustrade on two sides and an enclosed corridor on the north side accessed through arches; these areas are lit by stained-glass rooflights. The first-floor assembly rooms are divided into two sections by an elliptical arch and feature elaborate coffered ceilings. An adjacent committee room contains decorative plasterwork and, like a second committee room, has an oak chimneypiece similar to those on the ground floor. To the southeast stands a pair of Ladies and Gentlemen's cloakrooms, each with deep-red and green tiled dados, cream tiles with green art-nouveau design, original timber-panelled cubicles with moulded cornices, and inlaid terrazzo floors.

The building retains a wealth of high-quality fittings and decorative features throughout, including oak doors with brass handles, tiles, cast-iron radiator enclosures with marble tops, mosaic and terrazzo flooring, stained glass, and plaster cornices, which contribute significantly to its special architectural interest.