Former Deptford Town Hall, with dwarf wall and railings to north

Former Deptford Town Hall with dwarf wall and railings to north

This town hall in Edwardian Baroque style was built between 1903 and 1907, opening in 1905, by the architectural firm Lanchester, Stewart and Rickards for the Metropolitan Borough of Deptford. The builder was H.L. Holloway of Deptford. Sculpture was provided by Henry Poole, Albert Hodge, and the firm of T and E Nichols; marble work was executed by Messrs Jenkins, and the internal decorative plasterwork by G.P. Bankart.

MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION

The building is constructed of stock brick faced with Portland stone to the front sections, with external sculpture also in Portland stone. The roofs are slate, with tall Portland stone chimneys to the front and brick chimneys to the rear sections. The building retains its original multi-pane casement windows, mullioned and transomed to the front sections, together with original ironwork and rainwater goods.

PLAN

The main range is rectangular on plan, with wedge-shaped projections to west and east that narrow towards the south. Accommodation extends southward beyond the main range, with additional space in the basement. To the south is a small mid-20th century two-storey block linked to the main building; this addition is of lesser interest.

EXTERIOR

The frontage is two storeys high and seven bays wide, with the outer two bays set back slightly. The whole is unified by an entablature between ground and first floor, and another at eaves level where the cornice incorporates a dentil band. The central entrance bay receives particular emphasis through a semi-elliptical oriel window positioned over a porch. The porch is formed by two arching winged Tritons facing away from one another with their arms entwined through a giant scroll that serves as a keystone; their serpentine tails fall to frame the round-arched entrance. The upper part of the arch contains a wrought-iron screen incorporating a swagged lantern flanked by seahorses, with the words 'DEPTFORD TOWN HALL' below. Within the opening is a pair of double doors with four raised and fielded panels and a plain fanlight above, fronted by the screen. The entrance is reached by nine steps.

At first-floor level, the oriel's central opening holds French doors behind a wrought-iron balconette edged with acanthus. The bay surround incorporates the initials 'DB' (Deptford Borough) with the date '1905'. The opening is framed by rolled acanthus with female and male term figures to either side. Above the opening is a composition featuring a ship's prow with lanterns and a central crown; chains are draped from the deck, and oars fan out to either side with waves breaking around them. The prow is supported by dolphins, while below, cornucopias descend across the top of the opening, spilling fruit.

The ground floor, raised on a basement arcade of wide round-headed openings, is set back behind a colonnade supporting the first floor. Panelled square piers stand between the windows and at either end, with Tuscan columns framing the windows. This arrangement evokes a 16th or 17th century guildhall with an open market below and hall above, perhaps suggesting that the ground floor, once open, has now been filled. The arrangement has also been described as inspired by Michelangelo's loggia to the Palazzo dei Conservatori in Rome. The ground-floor windows are tripartite, with arched upper lights between the columns. Above, the first-floor windows are set in moulded surrounds with aprons below and window-heads featuring console brackets enriched with acanthus or seaweed, beneath which are drops formed of clusters of shells.

To either side of the main section, and between the windows, are sculpted figures of admirals carved in bas relief but imitating statues within niches. The influence of Jean Goujon's 16th century arrangement of relief sculpture at the Hôtel Carnavalet in Paris has been suggested. Each man stands on a rough stone platform with a consoled cornice above—similar to those above the windows—but broken by the prow of a representative ship from the admiral's time, with fish supporters. Beneath each figure is a panel inscribed with a date over an oak wreath decorated with appropriate emblems.

To the west is Sir Francis Drake, lavishly dressed in slashed jerkin, ruched sleeves, pumpkin hose and ruff, with gloves and sword. Behind him is a globe with the words 'America' and 'Africa' inscribed on the relevant land masses. The panel below shows the date '1587' (for his raid on Cadiz), while the wreath is draped with a crucifix, beads and jewels, together with a chalice, described in the souvenir brochure as suggesting 'the spoils of a Spanish galleon, or the plunder of some Spanish church'.

Blake wears Puritan dress with leather jerkin, gloves, tall boots and sword, and carries a wide-brimmed hat. Below him is the date '1652'—the year of his victory over the Dutch admiral Van Tromp—with navigational dividers and a bible.

Nelson is dressed in uniform with bicorne hat and sword. On his breast are the insignia of four chivalric orders, and his two naval gold medals hang round his neck. Behind him is a mounted cannon and cannon balls, and draped rigging. Below, the date '1805' represents the Battle of Trafalgar, while the wreath is adorned with orders and decorations bestowed on Nelson, some apparently unfinished.

The modern-day admiral is in uniform with medals and insignia, wearing a bicorn hat and sword. Behind him are ropes, chains, and a mooring bollard; below are binoculars and a sextant, with the date '1905' marking the opening of the town hall.

Above the central three bays is an attic storey with end pilasters, the pediments carved with anchors and crowns, supporting an open-bed gable pediment containing a relief sculpture of a naval battle on a churning sea, the ships' sails torn with cannon shot. The timber eaves of the pitched roof project over the pediment, giving it a maritime air. This is emphasised by the timber clock tower rising above it in two stages, surrounded by a balustrade. The lower stage has ventilation louvres; the upper stage bears the clock faces. The tower has a tented pyramidal copper roof surmounted by a weathervane in the form of a ship.

The set-back eastern bay follows the form of the main section, with the ground-floor window recessed and columns supporting the first floor. The first-floor window inverts the configuration of the other windows, being of arched form with the apron above—below the window-head. The window, serving the Mayor's Parlour, has a comparatively simple iron balcony. The east return wall has two square-headed windows at ground floor level and two round-arched windows at first-floor level, above the entablature.

The western set-back section has a tall arched opening for a cartway, over which is the seal of Deptford Council, the shield signifying aspects of Deptford's history, with flanking tridents and fish; a crab serves as keystone to the arch. The opening contains timber gates with panels containing crosses. To the east is a doorway leading to the secondary stair with a lantern above; the stair is lit by a small window above the door. At first floor is an architrave with apron and flanking consoles, containing one window opening above another. To the east is a door opening to a small curved balcony, akin to a crow's nest on a ship, from which rises a flagpole. The western return wall is blind, the lower part being partially obscured by the brick wall defining the passageway to the neighbouring building, the former postal sorting office. Neither the brick wall nor the former postal sorting office is included in the listing.

In the rear parts of the building, the stock brick is exposed, laid in English bond, and the windows have cambered brick arches. There is a canted bay rising to mezzanine level on both east and west elevations. To the rear, the south-west wing is higher to accommodate the attic. These parts are without ornament, though on the west elevation brackets supporting pipework are decorated with starfish and shells. The addition to the south is a small gabled two-storey building. A metal walkway is attached to the south elevation; this is not included in the listing.

The front area of the building is lined with glazed brick, as is the lightwell running along the southern part of the east elevation. This lightwell is in two parts, the dividing wall having an arched opening.

INTERIOR

The building was planned around the central stair hall, with the principal offices on the ground floor, the council chamber and committee rooms on the first floor, and additional accommodation on a mezzanine floor. Plans were published in the opening brochure and in the contemporary architectural press. The room names given below are taken from these sources and from surviving brass door plaques taking the form of cartouches. The overall plan has survived largely as built, though room uses have changed. Decoration in the ceremonial areas is intact, and the building retains original fittings and finishes, including many original chimneypieces ranging from the elaborate bolection-moulded marble and plasterwork designs in the principal spaces to the simpler bowed examples in the lesser offices. The more important fireplaces have cast-iron grates with the canopy taking the form of a shell. Door surrounds are bolection-moulded with panelled doors, and deep moulded cornices and skirtings are found throughout. Floors in the principal circulation spaces are of marble laid in geometric patterns, with terrazzo in secondary areas and WCs. Timber floors in offices are now covered.

The external double doors give access to a small lobby, beyond which is a barrel-vaulted Vestibule. The double doors to either end of the Vestibule have glazed sections and an elliptical light set in a segmental-pedimented overdoor carved with the initials 'DB'; the brass door handles also bear these initials. From there, the Entrance Hall is approached via a corridor in which are hung, to the east, a memorial honouring Deptford Borough Council members, staff and employees who served in the First World War, and to the west, an elaborate board for indicating the times and rooms of meetings. The entrance hall has a central screen of marble columns supporting two barrel-vaults running across the building, with two central domes over the passageway leading to the principal stair.

In the northern (front) part of the building, suites of offices lie to either side of the Entrance Hall, with the interconnecting offices of the Town Clerk's department to the west and those of the Borough Surveyor's department to the east. The private offices of the Town Clerk and Borough Surveyor are accessed directly from the Entrance Hall as well as from the Vestibule—the entrance from the Vestibule representing a change from the published plans. The Town Clerk's General Office to the west is accessed from the Entrance Hall via a door in a glazed screen. This room extends into the building's western projection with a tall column supporting the junction of beams, and retains a large cupboard or store. To the east, the glazed screen leads into a Waiting Room, with large offices to either side accessed through glazed walls, each having two doors. The Drawing Office is in the wedge-shaped projection at the east end of the Waiting Room; this office has lost its fireplace.

The rear offices are set at lower-ground-floor level, reached by a further flight continuing downwards to the basement from the principal stair. The steps are of moulded concrete with a plain metal balustrade and ramped handrail. Offices open from a narrow terrazzo-floored passageway running to the rear of the stair. A room lit by the bay window to the east was occupied by the Medical Officer, and that to the west by the Borough Accountant. There was also accommodation for the Borough Accountant's General Office, the Ledger Clerk and the Rates Office, as well as spare offices. An additional wall has created a corridor to the west of an office in the south-east corner of the building.

The imperial marble stair is lit by a shallow dome with four elliptical lights. The plasterwork of the ceiling is lavish, with acanthus, flowers, putti and cartouches, as well as seaweed, fish and shells. The ceiling is supported on paired unfluted Ionic columns defining a gallery around the stair. The wrought-iron balustrade protecting the stair and landing consists of a framework of scrolls and acanthus integrating rosettes, together with crossed anchors and tridents looped with mobile chains; the handrail is of gunmetal. At the head of the stair, between the two flights, is a balcony with a wrought-iron balustrade bearing the initials 'DB'.

Opposite this is the entrance to the Council Chamber, with double doors set in a bolection-moulded marble surround, the upper part surrounded by plasterwork decoration consisting of a large shell serving as an overdoor, with the words 'COUNCIL CHAMBER' in a cartouche, flanked by two large mermaids, their tails coiling to either side of the doorway, with festoons of fruit and flowers. The Council Chamber, occupying the front of the building at first-floor level, has oak panelling to dado level, with tiered seating to the west forming the public gallery and a marble chimneypiece to the east. A board above the fireplace names the Mayors of Deptford. To the north is a memorial to the citizens of Deptford who gave their lives in both world wars and to all who served; to the south is a Borough of Deptford Roll of Honour. The room no longer holds the original mayor's dais and other furnishings, which were not designed by Lanchester and Rickards. An enlarged dais has been inserted at the eastern end. The ceiling is in three compartments, with rich plasterwork to the central section. The decoration is in a more restrained 18th century style here than in other public parts of the building, though the maritime theme continues in the anchors flanking the upper lights and the shell and seaweed cornice moulding. Cartouches bear the date '1904', whilst ventilation grilles to west and east bear the initials 'DB'. The walls have moulded plasterwork panels. The entrance to the room, and that to the central balcony, is framed by a semi-elliptical canopy intended for a pelmet and curtains.

Other first-floor rooms were originally rooms serving the Council, most retaining original brass plaques indicating their former use. There is a large former Committee Room to the south, with entrances to both east and west of the stair; hanging above each is the seal of Deptford Council, carved in timber. This room has now been divided, with a smaller unit to the west. It retains its moulded plaster panels and deep coved ceiling. At what was originally the centre of the room is a bolection-moulded fire-surround with corresponding hearth, above which is a shell niche decorated with elaborate plasterwork incorporating fish and scrolled seaweed, with the Borough initials. This room is connected with further former Committee Rooms by folding double doors to east and west. In the room to the east, the chimneypiece is framed by an aedicule with a niche, and a coved ceiling with ventilation grilles bearing the Borough initials. This room connects via double doors to the north with a former Ante Room to the Council Chamber. The western room has lost its coved ceiling; this room connects with a former Retiring Room. The enfilade has been interrupted by the insertion of a corridor at the north ends of the Ante Room and Retiring Room.

The building's north-eastern projection houses the mayor's suite, originally accessed directly from the Ante Room, with the Mayor's Parlour and WC opening from a small lobby. The Mayor's Parlour retains its marble chimneypiece, the grate having an elaborate shell canopy, with a niche above corresponding with the room's round-headed windows. The WC, which originally corresponded directly with the Mayor's Parlour, has a marble-topped corner basin.

At mezzanine level, to the rear of the building, the opening from the stair landing is flanked by oval wrought-iron grilles, each containing a lantern described in the souvenir brochure as 'a ship's lantern of antique design, lit by electricity'. Rooms at this level were for members of the council and officials. At the centre is the Members Library, entered through double doors, retaining its bolection-moulded chimneypiece with shell grate and moulded wall panels. The former Assembly Room to the east has been subdivided, the northern portion retaining a Cloakroom and the southern portion a substantial moulded timber chimneypiece with shell grate. To the east are smaller offices with bowed fire surrounds. There are WCs in the south-east and south-west corners, with later tiling and fittings; two sets were provided so that one could be set aside for women when necessary. Access to an office extension to the south of the building has been made via a stair leading from the south end of the western passage. At first-floor level this extension consists of a single room lit by casement windows on three sides. As noted above, the extension is of lesser interest.

The secondary stair is in the north-west projection and is of concrete, having a tubular iron handrail with scrolled ends. On the principal floor, this stair serves the Kitchen and the Service Room preceding it, both of which are lined to half height with glazed brick; the Kitchen's wide fire surround is also of glazed brick. Above, the public gallery of the Council Chamber is entered through double doors. At attic level, indented footholds provide access to the roof space. The rooms formerly allocated to the building's caretaker are in the attic; these rooms were not inspected.

The basement was originally used for muniments, with some additional offices and WCs for staff. This area has seen some reconfiguration and alteration, particularly to the front part, which is now a gallery space. However, original skirtings and cornices survive, together with some simple doors set in moulded architraves, and a door set in a glazed screen in one place. In the south-east corner, the WC area has been subdivided but retains its glazed brick, a row of original urinals, and a row of original cubicles with doors. Floor surfaces in the basement area have later coverings.

SUBSIDIARY FEATURES

The front area of the building is protected by cast-iron railings with urn finials, punctuated by piers of wrought iron incorporating the initials 'DB'. The railings are set in a ramped dwarf wall.