Heritage and History

Dagenham Civic Centre

The Civic Centre (formerly Dagenham Town Hall) is a Grade II listed building designed in the early 1930s by E Berry Webber in the art deco style.

The building was originally intended to be 1 of 3 buildings, together with a fire station and library. Although the fire station was built to the right of the building, the library never came to fruition.

Building began in 1936 and the Hall was formally opened in 1937. The building has an impressive front entrance and portico, some excellent art deco ceilings, and champagne coloured botticino marble stairs and foyer.

The Council Chamber is walnut panelled with acoustic art deco ceilings. The Chairman's Room is panelled in Canadian betula veneer inlaid with sycamore and has specially designed walnut furniture.

The main structure of the building is in mulberry stock brick, with portland stone portico and carvings, and metal 'Crittal' windows. Most of the doors of the building are mahogany with bronze furniture.

As originally constructed the building had pylons at each end which illuminated lily ponds, known as the 'blue lagoons' by the locals. But the goldfish quickly disappeared (probably due to herons) and the lagoons were turned into gardens in 1953.

The building, especially the staircase and main foyer, has been used as a film and television location on several occasions.

Dagenham Civic Centre location map|