[1] The building started life as a public house known as the Duke of Bedford's Arms: it was built by a local builder, John Swindall, and was completed in 1747.

[2][3][4] The house and estate were acquired by a local land-owner, John Miller, and converted into a private residence in the late 18th century.

[1] The design involved a symmetrical main frontage with five bays facing onto High Street North; the central bay, which slightly projected forward, featured a portico with Doric order columns supporting an entablature with triglyphs on the ground floor and a tall round headed window flanked by pilasters supporting an architrave and a keystone on the first floor.

[2] Following local government re-organisation in 1974,[8] the building was briefly used by South Bedfordshire District Council until it moved to new offices on the site of the former Dunstable North railway station in 1989.

[2] As well as being the offices and meeting place for the town council,[10] it became an approved venue for weddings and civil partnership ceremonies.