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The original building (see image) was designed in 1886 by J. M. Brydon and the existing south elevations are his. The current north elevations are part of the 1906-08 extension by J. R. Stokes. The Library Time Machine has an excellent post about the evolution of this building with this splendid photo of it submerged under the decorations for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.

Built as a town hall but when Chelsea and Kensington amalgamated in 1965 those functions moved, initially to the Kensington Town Hall. This proved too small so a new K&C TH, designed by Sir Basil Spence was opened in 1977.

The old Chelsea TH still houses a library but is mainly rented out for functions. The old Kensington TH was not so lucky. It used to be on Kensington High Street, beside Kensington Church Walk, but was demolished in 1982 and replaced with a modern building.