The City Hall

The City Hall in Truro is a Grade II* listed building, constructed in 1846 by Christopher Eales. It features granite ashlar fronts and dry Delabole slate hipped roofs, with tall granite ashlar stacks that have modillioned cornices. The building has a large rectangular plan, which originally included an open arcade leading to a grand stair hall that fronts a spacious market hall. Designed in a classical style, it stands two storeys high, with a symmetrical five-bay façade on the north Boscawen Street side. The ground floor is rusticated ashlar with vermiculations on the jambs and round arches above moulded impost strings. A mid-floor cornice string is part of a Doric entablature adorned with triglyphs and mutules. The first floor is finished in plain ashlar and features a heavy crowning cornice with thick modillions. The windows are topped with alternating triangular and round pediments, and have sill cornices supported by consoles and pilasters. A tall pedimented clock tower adds to its prominence. The rear elevation on Back Quay is also two storeys high and has seven round-arched windows, with the central bays projecting forward.

Inside, the City Hall boasts fine interiors, including a Market Hall on the ground floor with a vaulted plaster ceiling and a granite vestibule that leads to a cantilevered granite staircase with a cast-iron balustrade. The first floor features a landing, a courtroom with panelled benches, a large council chamber, and a committee room, all of which are adorned with moulded and carved plaster ceilings, chimney-pieces, doorcases, cast-ironwork, and other original features and fittings.