Hornsea Urban District Council was formed in 1894, and it initially met in the town's public rooms on Newbegin.

Elim Lodge had been the home of Thomas Barton Holmes who had served as a director of the Hull and Selby Railway in the mid-19th century.

It was designed by John K. James of Kingston upon Hull in the Gothic Revival style, built in red brick and was completed in 1875.

In addition to offices for the town council, the works created meeting spaces for community groups and businesses.

[8] The building was used as a refuge for people evacuated from their homes during coastal flooding caused by a storm surge in January 2017.