Guildhall, Kingston upon Hull

Guildhall in Kingston upon Hull is an Edwardian civic building on Alfred Gelder Street in the centre of Hull, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It is listed at Grade II*, a category reserved for particularly important buildings. Today it houses the headquarters of Hull City Council and also hosts conferences, civic receptions and formal dinners.

What should you know about the Hull Guildhall?

This is one of the most impressive municipal buildings in the city. Edwin Cooper won the architectural competition for it in 1903, and it was his first major commission. Construction ran in two phases between 1904 and 1916, although some accounts give slightly different dates, such as 1906 to 1914.

What is the history of civic buildings on this site?

Hull's civic business was already being conducted at a guildhall at the southern end of Market Place in 1333. A two-storey guildhall followed in the 1630s and was taken down in 1805 to make way for Queen Street. For a time afterwards the mayor worked from a house on Lower Street. Between 1862 and 1866 a Renaissance-style town hall by Cuthbert Brodrick rose on Alfred Gelder Street.

Cooper's building began as an extension of that town hall. The first phase delivered the law courts facing Alfred Gelder Street. Once they were finished, the old town hall was demolished and a grand entrance front facing Lowgate took its place.

What does the architecture look like?

The style is Baroque Revival, a confident Edwardian echo of the Baroque. Key features include:

• a pedimented central portico with paired columns,
• a clock tower that stands out above the street,
• sculptures by Albert Hodge on the pavilions,
• "Strength" at the east end, a group showing Britannia in a chariot with lions.

The building was damaged in the war and restored in 1948.

Where does the street name come from?

Alfred Gelder Street is named after Alfred Gelder, a local architect who played a significant part in reshaping Hull's city centre at the turn of the Victorian and Edwardian eras.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Guildhall the city council's headquarters? Yes. It is the seat of Hull City Council and also serves as a venue for conferences and formal events.

What heritage status does it have? It is a Grade II* listed building, listed on 12 November 1973.

Who designed it? Edwin Cooper, chosen through a competition in 1903.

When was the present building constructed? In two phases between 1904 and 1916.

Can you see it from the street? Yes. The Alfred Gelder Street front, the portico, the clock tower and the sculpture are all visible from outside. Access to the interior depends on events, since it is a working administrative building.

Who is it for?

The Guildhall suits anyone interested in Edwardian architecture, British urban history or local government. It is a good stop on a walk through central Hull because it layers several chapters of the city's story, from medieval civic business to a grand early twentieth-century hall that still does its original job.