[1] The Nerang Division was formed in the nineteenth century to provide local government for the emerging community at the southern end of coastal Queensland.

The construction of major schools, banks and hotels stimulated Southport's growth the premier nineteenth century resort as did the presence of the Governor's residence in the 1890s.

The Divisional Board continued to meet in this building until the 1930s when it was decided that a new chambers would reflect the increased size and popularity of Southport.

In fact, there was rapid growth in coastal regions throughout Queensland during this period as bathing in sea water became increasingly popular as a recreational pursuit.

Councils of various coastal regions were competing for holiday trade by instigating beautification schemes and programmes for the provision of public facilities on the beaches.

As part of this bathing pavilions, a surf lifesaving clubhouse, beach reclamation and the construction of the council chambers were planned.

Hall and Phillips were the main proponents of Art Deco inspired architecture in Brisbane although this was certainly not the only influence on their vast work.

Many of their prominent works displaying this influence include the dining room extension to the Tattersall's Club, Queen Street; McWhirters' corner, Fortitude Valley; Shell House, Ann Street; Stewarts and Lloyds Factory (now Australian Consolidated Industries), Montague Road, West End as well as the Southport Town Hall.

Elements of the style include polychrome ornamentation commonly combining geometrical shapes particularly chevrons and repeated lines, and stylised floral patterns.

Originally the building was designed to incorporate a central tower, but this was omitted from the final work for financial reasons.

[1] The building was finished by August 1935 and on 2 August 1935 the Southport Town Hall was officially opened by the Queensland Premier, William Forgan-Smith in commemoration of the employment relief loan the Southport Town Council received from the Queensland Government in order to construct the building.

[3] When opened, the building provided four offices on the ground floor, three of which were to be let and one of which would house a state funded baby clinic.

The upper floor provided office accommodation for the Mayor and Town Clerk of Southport and a council chamber.

More specifically one of the reports detailed the building:[1]"The centre which has the main entrance is bold in treatment and is supported by symmetrical wings.

The Gold Coast City Council remained at the former Southport Town Hall until 1976 when new offices at Evandale were constructed.

The front facade of the building is set back from the Nerang Street footpath, allowing for a small lawned entrance court.

[1] The symmetrically composed building comprises a central entrance bay on the Nerang Street facade, flanked by side wings.

[1] The principal facades of the building are divided into bays by flat vertical moulded fins which extend beyond the parapet line, terminating with leaf shaped silhouettes.

A vertical fin moulded panel forms a base to the building and surmounting this are sills for the ground floor window openings.

The timber, three quarter turn stair is at the southern end of the building and fills the recess created with the projecting entrance bay.

The former council chamber, on the western Davenport Street side of the building features an elaborate moulded plaster ceiling, which is stepped around the edges.

Surrounding the uppermost step is a flat moulding spreading into the ceiling and incorporating octagonal shaped ventilators with stylised floral designed covers.

The recessed link creates a court on the Davenport Street side of the place, between the two main components of the council chambers, visually separating the buildings.