Municipal Buildings, West Hartlepool

Won in competition. Pinky red brick and terra-cotta. Much ceramic decoration and an over-abundance of ornament.

NEW PUBLIC BUILDINGS, WEST HARTLEPOOL.  The foundation stone of these new buildings has just been laid. The building which is of the Queen Anne type is being built of red brick with terra cotta facings, and will provide accommodation for the School Board, the sanitary inspector, the overseers and the collectors. There will be a Board Room 45 feet 6 inches by 25 feet extending along the entire front. The cost will be about £6,000. Mr Jos. Howe is the contractor (British Architect 26 August 1887 Page 167)

WEST HARTLEP00L.—The new Municipal Buildings were opened on Wednesday by Prince Victor. The building is Queen Anne in style, and cost £7,000, exclusive of site and furnishing. The chief room on the first floor is the Council Chamber, 48 feet 6in. by 25 feet 6in. The building has been designed with regard to possible future extension. Externally the materials used are small dark red Normanby bricks, with bases, strings, cornices, doors, and windows of red terra-cotta, specially modelled by Messrs. Monk and Newall, of Ruabon. The roofs are covered with strawberry-coloured tiles. The contractor for the building was Mr. Joseph Howe, of West Hartlepool. Messrs. Emley and Sons, of Newcastle, executed the heating arrangements and the marble floors in the entrance and corridors, and also provided the grates and chimney-pieces. Mr. Bagaley, of Newcastle, prepared the ornamental lead glazing. Mr. Alderson acted as clerk of works during the erection of the building, and Mr. Wass has held a similar position in its completion and fitting up. The whole has been carried out from the designs (selected in open competition) of Mr. R. Knill Freeman, F. R.I. B.A., of Bolton and Manchester, and of the firm of Freeman and Robins, architects, Newcastle.   [Building News 3 May 1889 page 636]

COUNCIL CHAMBER, MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS, WEST HARTLEPOOL. The New Municipal Buildings, West Hartlepool, which were formally opened on the May 1 by Prince Albert Victor, are centrally situated, and provide the usual municipal offices, also offices for the Guardians and the School Board. The Council Chamber is placed on the second storey, and extends along the principal front. The Mayor’s parlour is arranged en-suite, and corresponds in general treatment with the Council Chamber. The building has been designed with regard to future extension. The materials used for the exterior are small, dark red bricks, with bases, cornices, and other dressings of terra-cotta. The roofs are covered with strawberry-coloured tiles. The cost has been about £7,000. Mr. Joseph Howe, of West Hartlepool, was the contractor, and Mr. R. Knill Freeman, of Bolton and Manchester, the architect. [Builder 11 May 1889 page 358 and illustration]

Reference    British Architect 26 August 1887 Page 167
Reference    Builder 11 May 1889 - Interior of the Council Chamber
Reference    Building News 3 May 1889 page 636