Could this grand building, Lambeth Town Hall, really have cost only £40,000 to build back in 1908? That’s what contemporary records tell us. This magnificent structure, a blend of Edwardian Baroque style, was designed by Septimus Warwick and H. Austen Hall. It replaced a smaller town hall on Kennington Road, deemed unfit for the growing needs of the then-Metropolitan Borough of Lambeth.
The foundation stone for Lambeth Town Hall was laid in 1906, with the grand opening taking place two years later. The Prince and Princess of Wales, who would later become King George V and Queen Mary, graced the occasion. Over the years, Lambeth Town Hall has seen more than its share of history. It has served as the headquarters for both the Metropolitan Borough of Lambeth and, later, the London Borough of Lambeth. The building even received an extension between 1935 and 1938, adding another floor and an assembly hall to its already impressive structure.
Look up! Notice the intricate details adorning the clock tower, a striking feature of the London skyline. The tower stands 134 feet tall, its clock diligently chiming every fifteen minutes. The sculpted figures surrounding the clock face represent Justice, Science, Art, and Literature – a testament to the values held dear by the community Lambeth Town Hall serves.