Newham Council Offices

Newham Council Offices (formerly East Ham Town Hall)

Town Hall built between 1901 and 1903, designed by Cheers & Smith. The building is constructed in London stock brick clad with glazed red Accrington brick and terracotta details, with slate roofs. It displays an irregular plan in the Edwardian Baroque style.

Exterior

The building presents a complex and elaborate composition across its north front. The dominant element consists of a 6-window range flanked by a 2-window range to the left and a prominent 3-stage tower to the right. To the right of the tower stands a further single-window range rising through 3 storeys beneath a shaped gable, with an entrance bay at the extreme right.

The main 6-bay element features 2- and 3-light terracotta casement windows with transoms and segmental heads on each floor. Pilaster strips between the ground-floor windows terminate in arched heads. A machicolated cornice and elaborate parapet crown this section.

The 2 bays to the left display irregular fenestration; the left bay has a gabled roof while the right bay features a domed roof elaborated into a slate-hung octagonal lantern.

The 3-stage tower of square plan is buttressed with polygonal corner features. Clock faces occupy each side of the second stage, above which sits an elaborate cornice. The bell stage contains 3 single-light arched openings to each side, with terracotta decoration above and below. A spire rises from the parapet, furnished with corner pinnacles and an upper lantern.

West of the tower, a 3-storey element is lit through 3-light terracotta casements on the first two floors, with a canted bay window above a projecting entablature on the upper floor. An elaborately decorated shaped gable crowns this section. An arched terracotta entrance bay follows, featuring rusticated jambs and an arch inscribed 'Public Hall', with a recessed pair of double half-glazed doors beneath. A hipped roof carries one pedimented dormer fitted with a 3-light casement.

The west return displays similar detailing. The main office entrance sits in an advanced 2-storey pedimented bay; the upper floor features coupled Composite columns framing an arched recess with glazing and a segmental hood to French doors opening onto a balcony.

Interior

The north entrance opens into a dog-leg staircase rising to the first floor. The lower flight features a central oak balustrade with wrought-iron detailing, tiled dados with decorated frieze tiles, Lincrusta cornices, and a mosaic floor. Two bronze chandeliers designed by J.B. Tompkins for electric light hang from the ceiling.

The first-floor ante-chamber contains male and female services positioned either side of the staircase. To the south lies a screen of two Devonshire marble columns leading to the council chamber. Double 3-panelled oak doors ahead open into the main hall; between them stands a glazed timber ticket kiosk.

The main hall features a stage at its east end and a recessed gallery at its west end. Pilasters line the side walls, with oak dado panelling below. The plastered and coved ceiling divides into rectangular panels, from which suspend 4 octagonal electric pulley lamps by J.B. Tompkins in Art Deco style. The stage sits beneath an elliptical arch; the gallery contains twin Composite columns to the left and similar pilasters to the right.

South of the ante-chamber, a passage leads to a second dog-leg staircase with a stone, oak and wrought-iron balustrade. This staircase rises to twin segmental arches supported on a polished Devonshire marble Composite column. Half-glazed double doors and 3-light windows occupy the south end. Double doors lead to the council chamber and committee rooms.

Two committee rooms feature Lincrusta dado (renewed in the late 20th century) and coved ceilings with recessed centre flats and Art Deco glazing in east and west tympana. A counterweighted dividing screen separates the rooms.

The council chamber displays elaborate oak dado panelling and a horseshoe arrangement of seats with fold-down writing tables. A raised dais holds a canopied centre chair for the president with flanking side chairs. The ceiling divides into 9 rectangular compartments with strapwork plasterwork and a central glazed dome fitted with Art Deco stained glass panels.

The main hall roof consists of steel angle-iron trusses, repeated across other roofs. Ground-floor offices retain their main staircase and principal entrances to departments. Late 20th-century portable partitioning and suspended ceilings have been added.

The basement contains 4 police cells lined with glazed white tiles.