[1] Following significant population growth in the late 19th century, particularly in the iron trade,[2] the burgh council decided to procure a town hall: the site they selected had formed part of the grounds of Dunbeth House,[3] the residence of William Weir, a close relative of the descendants of Alexander Baird who had founded William Baird & Co Ltd, iron founders, in Gartsherrie.

[5] The new building was designed by Alexander McGregor Mitchell in the Renaissance style, built in red sandstone ashlar and completed in 1894.

[10] Internally, the principal rooms were the council chamber and the main assembly hall, which contained an organ with four manuals and 55 stops, the latter of which had been designed and manufactured by Henry Willis & Sons.

[1] On the Kildonan Street elevation, rather than replicating the original stonework, a modern structure was constructed with a new main entrance.

[17] North Lanarkshire Council continued to use the building for workspace for various departments including education[18] and social services.