[1] The borough architect, Eric Tornbohm, subsequently developed plans, which were supported by the successor Labour Party administration to create a series of "concrete and glass boxes" in the area.

[2] After Alfred Waterhouse's town hall became inadequate, civic leaders decided to construct the first of these "concrete and glass boxes": the site they selected in Feethams had been occupied by the Lead Yard Bus Station[3] which itself had been built on the site of the old Darlington Union Workhouse.

[4][5] The foundation stone for the new building was laid by the Minister of Housing and Local Government, Anthony Greenwood, on 30 November 1967.

[6] A zinc and stainless steel structure, intended to depict the resurgence of the area, was designed by John Hoskin and erected outside the town hall.

When Princess Anne was asked to unveil a small plaque linked to the structure, Michael Palin records in his diaries that she turned to the journalist, Kate Adie, and exclaimed "F*** Me".