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Assembly Rooms

1318

This striking Gothic municipal building in rich red brick forms part of a group of three, the others being the Inwood Cottage Hospital and the Museum, formerly the Mechanics Institute. They were designed by Charles E Barry by invitation of Henry Hall, who gifted a portion of Crown Close for the construction of the buildings. The Assembly rooms, which presented entertainments, including drama, from the beginning, have two handsome towers marking the entrance. The hall itself features six chandeliers and has a permanent stage, sprung dance floor and its original ceiling. In October 2000 the Assembly Rooms and surrounding buildings were listed Grade II. Since then, the Assembly Rooms were renovated and access to them improved. This involved removing some of the post-war alterations, revealing some of the original features. This is a well-maintained multi-purpose hall. It has a wide range of uses including community events.

Built / Converted
1880
Dates of use
  • 1880 - 1914: Theatre (multi-purpose hall)
  • 1914 - 1918: Red Cross hospital
  • 1920 : Theatre (multi-purpose hall), continuing
  • 1939 - 1945: First Aid Post (and multi-purpose hall)
Current state
Extant
Current use
Theatre (Multi-purpose Hall)
Address
Crown Hill, Alton, Hampshire, England
Website-
Further details
Other names
-
Events
  • 1880 Design/Construction:
    Charles E Barry (Westminster)
    - Architect
  • 1880 Owner/Management: Alton Assembly Rooms & Town Hall Co Ltd
  • 1880 - 1914 Use: Theatre (multi-purpose hall)
  • 1893 Alteration: Internal alterations to enlarge stage and improve acoustics, building extended
  • 1900 - 1909 Alteration: converted for multi-purpose use (including films and skating)
    Unknown
    - Architect
  • 1912 Owner/Management: Gerald Hall bought Co (in receivership)
  • 1914 Alteration: converted to Red Cross Hospital
    Unknown
    - Architect
  • 1914 - 1918 Use: Red Cross hospital
  • 1919 Alteration: re-converted for entertainment use
    Unknown
    - Architect
  • 1919 Owner/Management: UDC (presented to the town by Gerald & Goodwyn Hall)
  • 1920 Use: Theatre (multi-purpose hall), continuing
  • 1939 - 1945 Use: First Aid Post (and multi-purpose hall)
  • 1963 Alteration: modernised & re-floored
    Unknown
    - Architect
Capacities
  • Capacity
    Later
    Description
    1910: 500
    1995: 300
  • Capacity
    Later
    Description
    300
  • Capacity
    Current
    Description
    208
    Comment
    2014; seated capacity 208
Listings
  • Listing
    II
    Comment
    Listed alongside the cottage hospital and museum
Stage type
-
Building dimensions: -
Stage dimensions: 1910 Depth: 19ft 6in Width: 28ft 6in
Proscenium width: 25ft
Height to grid: -
Inside proscenium: -
Orchestra pit: None