[3] The building was designed by Richard William Drew in the Gothic Revival style, built in red brick with stone dressings and was officially opened on 28 January 1870.

The central bay featured a round headed doorway with a semi-circular fanlight, carvings in the spandrels and a pediment above containing a quatrefoil.

However, Havant Urban District Council, which succeeded the local board of health in 1894,[6] acquired the building in 1921 and converted it into its meeting place.

[7] The adjoining house called Moorlands was bought by the council in 1946 and incorporated into the town hall complex to provide additional office space.

[5] The town hall briefly remained a meeting place for the enlarged Borough of Havant Council which was formed in 1974.