[1] Britons first settled in Sandgate in the 1850s, and the area prospered into the following century as the principal sea-side resort in south east Queensland, encouraged by the introduction of the railway in May 1882.

The first official Sandgate Municipal Chambers and Town Hall was designed by Richard Gailey in 1882, and built in Kate Street near the popular pier and bathing area in what is now Shorncliffe.

[1] The foundation stone for the Sandgate Town Hall was laid by Sir William MacGregor, Governor of Queensland, on 14 October 1911.

[1] The Sandgate Town Hall was designed to sit on a prominent corner, and was therefore an L-shaped building with wings extending along both streets; the hall in the Brighton Road wing was accessed from the principal corner entrance and Council Chambers and various offices were accessed from a centrally located entrance on Seymour Street.

[1] The Town Hall was opened on 21 September 1912 by the Queensland Governor, William MacGregor, at a ceremony attended by 500 people.

[4] A four dial clock, acquired from the Old Ipswich Town Hall by a Brisbane watchmaker, Frederick John Bright, was installed in the clocktower in 1923.

The entrance to the library, on Seymour Street, is emphasised by a decorative parapeted section featuring Art Nouveau signage "SANDGATE TOWN COUNCIL AD 1911" and a large round arched opening with floral leadlight window.

Other decorative elements include face-brick quoining, Art Nouveau signage, roughcast stucco render in some sections, and dormer windows.

[1] Internally the building features a large hall and stage, a library chamber and various administrative offices.

Sandgate Town Hall, erected in 1911–1912, is significant as an excellent example of a Federation style civic building in Queensland.