Southport Town Hall (former)

The Art Deco Southport Town Hall opened in 1935, demonstrating the council’s prosperity and progressiveness, at a time when the town’s economy was increasingly underpinned by tourism rather than agriculture. The building was constructed in brick with cement face and coloured to resemble stone. The surrounds were landscaped with flower beds on each side. It was one of many new buildings in Southport designed by Hall and Phillips in the 1930s, including the bathing pavilions and lifesaving clubhouse at Southport and Main Beach, the now demolished Pier Theatre, and the fire station in Davenport Street. The other remnant art deco building in Southport is the 1938 Addison and McDonald designed Cecil Hotel, also in Nerang Street. Following the 1949 amalgamation of a number of coastal town councils, the South Coast Town Council occupied the town hall. A large addition was made to the rear of the building in 1952. The name of Gold Coast Town Council was adopted in 1958, becoming a city council in 1959. The council’s area enlarged dramatically in 1995 after the amalgamation with Albert Shire. The Town Hall remains in use as council administrative and customer service offices.