East Suffolk County Hall
East Suffolk County Hall is a historic building located in St Helens Street in Ipswich. It is a Grade II listed building.[1]
East Suffolk County Hall | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Location | Ipswich, Suffolk |
Coordinates | 52°3′23.4″N 1°9′42.4″E |
Built | 1837 |
Architect | William McIntosh Brooks |
Architectural style(s) | Tudor style |
Listed Building – Grade II | |
Designated | 4 August 1972 |
Reference no. | 1207685 |
![]() ![]() Location of East Suffolk County Hall in Suffolk |
History
The original county hall building was designed by William McIntosh Brooks in the Tudor style and completed in 1837.[2] It was originally used as a prison and as a facility for dispensing justice but, following the implementation of the Local Government Act 1888, which established county councils in every county, it also became the meeting place of East Suffolk County Council in 1906.[3]
The proceedings for the divorce between Wallis Simpson and Ernest Simpson took place at the county hall with the decree nisi being granted on 27 October 1936.[4] On 16 November 1936 King Edward VIII announced his intention to marry Wallis Simpson leading to the abdication crisis.[5]
Following the implementation of the Local Government Act 1972 it became the headquarters of Suffolk County Council in 1974 before the County Council decided to move out of the building to more modern premises in 2003.[6] The Council moved to Endeavour House in Ipswich the following year and County Hall is now owned by Rainbow Developments.[7] It was placed on the local buildings at risk register in 2011.[8]
References
- Historic England. "County Hall Main Entrance Block, Ipswich (1207685)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
- "Ipswich's former County Hall". Victorian Society. Archived from the original on 21 January 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
- "Local Government Act 1888". Legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
- Bloch, Michael (1996). The Duchess of Windsor. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson. pp. 82, 92. ISBN 978-0-297-83590-5.
- "Decision made on Ipswich County Hall plans for 40 flats". Ipswich Star. 8 January 2020.
- "Plans for new county hall". BBC. 22 January 2003. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
- "Ipswich: Improved security on its way at County Hall after photos show state of listed building". Ipswich Star. 5 September 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
- "Shocking pictures show how Ipswich's Grade II listed County Hall has fallen prey to vandals". East Anglian Daily Times. 22 August 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2020.