It was built in 1889 in the Victorian Free Classical architectural style by architect W. H. Monckton, and was officially opened on 11 April 1889 by the Prime Minister of New South Wales, Sir Henry Parkes.

With the proclamation of the Municipality of Canterbury in March 1879, the new council turned its attention to acquiring land for a purpose-built chambers and hall for their work.

[1] The architect chosen, Walter Hillary Monckton of Parramatta, designed a Victorian Free Classical building with a two-storey frontage and a central tower, and tenders for construction were advertised by mid-1888.

[3][4] The completed Town Hall was composed of brick, cemented on stone foundations, topped by a 60-foot (19m) high tower, and the words "J. C. Sharp J.P., Mayor."

Council had unsuccessfully applied for special loans for the purpose of a new "Civic Centre" in 1947 and 1949 and Davey & Brindley, architects, had prepared plans along the lines of Dudok's Hilversum Town Hall.