The building was designed by
Sir Robert Smirke for Gloucestershire magistrates in the
Greek Revival style, built in
ashlar stone and was opened in 1816. A
courthouse, also designed by Smirke, was built at the rear of the shire hall, and was completed around the same time. Following the implementation of the
Local Government Act 1888, which established county councils in every county, the shire hall also became the meeting place of
Gloucestershire County Council. It was internally remodelled in 1896 to accommodate a council chamber and offices for the county council. In the 1960s the building was largely demolished and rebuilt, retaining only the 1816 portico and the 1911 flanking wings. An extensive programme of refurbishment works to the 1960s buildings, intended to create an open plan environment, together with re-cladding works, intended to make the facilities more energy efficient, was carried out by
Kier Group, based on a design by Quattro Design Architects, and completed in late 2018. Works of art in the shire hall include a portrait of the former
Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire,
Henry Reynolds-Moreton, 3rd Earl of Ducie, by Alexander Glasgow (1840–1894). == References ==