Hamilton Townhouse

Hamilton Townhouse is a building in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, which is operated by South Lanarkshire Council. It contains both the town's main public hall (formerly known as Hamilton Town Hall) and public library, as well as various council departments including licensing and community learning. It is a Category B listed building.[1]

Hamilton Townhouse
The building prior to the 2002 renovation
LocationHamilton
Coordinates55.77765°N 4.03851°W / 55.77765; -4.03851
Built1928
ArchitectAlexander Cullen
Architectural style(s)Baroque style
Listed Building – Category B
Designated21 October 1977
Reference no.LB34505
Shown in South Lanarkshire

History

The building, although appearing to be one, was actually built in stages over a 21-year period. The library section of the complex was designed by Alexander Cullen and opened by Andrew Carnegie in 1907.[2] The adjacent townhouse offices were also designed by Alexander Cullen and opened by King George V in 1914.[3] The town hall was designed by Cullen Lochhead and Brown and completed in 1928.[1]

The townhouse was the seat of government of the burgh of Hamilton until the council offices in Almada Street were completed in 1963.[4]

In 2002, each section of the building was closed to enable the building to undergo a regeneration project, costing £9 million, to proceed.[3] This was required to bring the internal facilities to current standards and restore the crumbling stone exterior of the building.[3] The restored facility was made available to the public in August 2004 and an official opening by Princess Anne took place in September 2004.[3] The library has won two awards: the "Architect Meets Practicality Award" for libraries of significant architectural interest that are practical and user-friendly and the "Mary Finch Accessibility Award" for the library which most addresses access issues from physical through to cultural barriers.[3]

Notes
  1. Historic Environment Scotland. "Cadzow Street, 98-102 Municipal Buildings  (Category B) (LB34505)". Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  2. "Andrew Carnegie: Scottish connections". Scotcities.com. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  3. "The Hamilton Reference Library". Historic Hamilton. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  4. "South Lanarkshire Council Headquarters". Emporis. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
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