[1] It was designed in the Art Deco style by L. Magnus Austin, built by Whitelock and Co. of Branksome and was officially opened by the Earl of Shaftesbury on 28 May 1932.

[6] In 2016 proposals were considered which involved demolition of the building and redevelopment of the site for housing, but the plans were rejected.

[7] Instead civic leaders decided to improve the building and some £250,000 was spent on refurbishment, including disabled access, baby changing facilities and areas for customer interviews, later that year.

[8] The building ceased to be the local seat of government when Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, an enlarged unitary authority, was created in April 2019.

[10] In 2023 it was reported the council intend to convert the building into a "150-room boutique hotel" with 360 new homes built on the rest of the site.