The civic centre was commissioned to replace the aging former offices of the local board of health in Gentleman's Row.

[1] The civic centre continued to serve as the local of seat of government when the enlarged London Borough of Enfield was formed in 1965.

[3] It was substantially expanded by the addition of a 48.5 metres (159 ft) high,[4] twelve-storey stainless steel tower, designed by the same firm of architects, which was erected by Costain Group[5] at the north end of the original structure.

[9] In December 2014, a bronze statue of a smiling cherub holding a fish, which had been cast at the Singer Art Foundry and had been found abandoned at a local school, was given a new home at the civic centre.

[10] An extensive refurbishment of the complex, which included asbestos removal, a change to open plan working and new timber grill ceilings, was completed at a cost of £7 million in 2017.