The Guildhall

The Guildhall is a neo-Georgian red brick building dating to 1934-5, designed by Maurice Webb. It has Portland stone dressings and a tiled roof. The building follows a semi-circular plan and rises three storeys, featuring square-headed windows with twelve panes. A horizontally rusticated stone base is present, as is a stone band above the first floor. A massive square tower dominates the centre of the semi-circular elevation, topped with a low octagonal spire and fluted corner pinnacles. The main entrance is centrally positioned within the base of the tower. Above the entrance is a two-storey, round-headed window set within an open pedimented stone niche supported by simplified Corinthian columns rising from a corbelled balcony. Pictorial references to the Thames are displayed on the keystone within the niche, the corbels, capitals, and on the iron gates. The crest of Kingston is positioned further up the tower. The circular entrance hall is lined with marble. A central staircase is present, featuring original opaque glass semi-spherical lamps. Original wall and hanging lights, also of opaque glass with bronze trimming, are found in the southwest area and the council chamber.