First Published: Monday 03 May 2004, 22:20
County Hall is located on the South Bank of the River Thames in the London Borough of Lambeth.
Construction of the building started in 1911 and the building was officially opened in 1922.
The main building is in 'Edwardian Baroque' style and was designed by Ralph Knott.
In later years further buildings (North, South and Island blocks) were added to the site as the GLC grew in size.
For sixty four years County Hall served as the seat of London Government, housing first the London
County Council and then the Greater London Council.
When the GLC was abolished the building was sold off to private developers and today houses a number of
popular attractions including a Marriott Hotel and the London Aquarium.
More recently the grounds were chosen as the home for the London Eye and parts of the building can be hired for corporate hospitality events.
It has also served as a location for a number of major films and TV shows including Spooks (BBC1) and the James Bond film Die Another Day.
Further Reading
The current owners of the building operate an excellent website which includes photos of the debating chamber and interior of the building.
Notes: Image of County Hall construction reproduced with kind permission of The Building Engineering Services Heritage Group.
