Purley Council Offices Including Attached Railings

Purley Council Offices, including attached railings

Council offices designed in 1929 following a competition by architects Nicholls and Hughes in Neo-Classical style, and opened by the Lord Mayor of London in 1930. The building was specified to allow for future expansion, and the rear section was completed by May 1937, designed by the same architects in matching style and materials. The structure is built of red brick with stone dressings and a hipped pantiled roof, comprising one or two storeys with basements and featuring sash windows throughout.

The south-east front elevation displays two storeys and basement with seven windows. The central three bays feature a pediment with an oculus and two giant Ionic columns in antis. On the first floor, three set-back French windows with cast iron balconies are positioned above round-headed French windows with keystones at ground floor level. Either side of these central bays are bays with 16-pane sashes and shutters. The end bays are set back with casement windows to the first floor and 16-pane sashes with wooden shutters to the ground floor. Attached to the front are cast iron area railings with urn finials and an elaborate cast iron stand with lamp; the right-side railings have been modified to provide disabled access.

The south-west elevation features a ground floor curved bay serving the Town Clerk's Office. Attached to the front range is a section of two storeys and basement with four 12-pane sash windows with keystones at ground floor. A right-side doorcase with brackets and a cornice with panel, a half-glazed door, and attached cast iron railings are present. To the left is a one-storey portion with eight 12-pane sashes. This elevation terminates in a section of two storeys and basement with seven 12-pane sashes and a central doorcase with a stone door surround, panel, and console brackets.

The north-west elevation, comprising two storeys and basement, has nine sash windows. The central seven bays are recessed with 12-pane sashes and keystones, while the end windows have eight panes. A wide central doorcase features taller central console brackets and double doors. End projecting bays contain external chimneystacks. The north-east elevation is almost identical to the south-west elevation, except it lacks a bow window at ground floor level and its rear doorcase has been converted into a window. The building includes an internal courtyard with twenty windows on all sides.

The entrance hall measures 3 by 3 bays with round-headed arches with keystones and impost blocks, double doors, a coffered ceiling, an original built-in semi-circular clock, and a San Stefano marble floor. The main staircase to the right leads to the council suite and is a well staircase with cast iron balusters and a column newel. A series of radiator baffles feature interlocking circles and Greek key designs. Six-panelled doors have moulded architraves throughout.

The Crush Room contains fluted Ionic columns and an inlaid marble floor. The Chairman's Office is panelled with a coved cornice and features an 18th-century style fireplace and cupboard. The Council Chamber has a ribbed barrel-vaulted roof with anthemion and scrolled design, and double Ionic pilasters. The walls are panelled, with sliding oak doors at each end leading to two Committee rooms. Both Committee rooms feature fireplaces with eared architraves and Ionic columns; the north-western room contains a dumb waiter. Both Members cloakrooms retain original tiling and sanitary fittings, with the gentlemen's cloakroom featuring black marble urinals.

The remainder of the building has a central staircase to the rear with cast iron balustrading and oak handrail. Although some partitions have been inserted, many original fireplaces survive with either eared architraves or bolection-mouldings, including one in the basement with Egyptian or Greek style tiles. Original cloakroom fittings, doors, and a basement strongroom remain.