[1] The Guildhall, which was designed with a large portico with six Ionic order columns with pediment above, was intended to complement the rest of the Civic Suite and was opened by the Earl of Derby on 13 February 1937.

[2] It contains a pipe organ, designed by John Compton, which was installed shortly before the opening of the building.

[2] The Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, visited the guildhall during a tour of the city in January 1941[2] and it was used for high-level military conferences in spring and summer 1944 in anticipation of the Normandy landings which were coordinated from Southwick House.

[2][6] A new sprung floor was installed in the main hall in 1955 enabling the guildhall to become a major music venue.

[10] On 7 October 2013, the venue was renamed to the O2 Guildhall Southampton, reflecting a partnership between Live Nation UK and O2 Telefónica.