Restoration of City Hall a great initiative

Aug 06, 2025 Letters

Dear Editor,

Kaieteur News – City Hall, which was once among the most beautiful buildings in Guyana, and in the West Indies has deteriorated over the decades. It is now showing signs of returning to its former glory, whether it’s the work of central government or the local government, it’s a great initiative. That building was once the pride of the city. Editor, please allow me to give you a brief history of that building.

In 1897, the creation of that building started with the design by architect Reverend Ignatius Scoles. By June of 1889, the building was completed for the mayor and city councils and the city engineer at the cost of $54, 826.26 GYD. In those days that money could have built the Marriott Hotel.

The City Hall was officially open at 3pm on the 1^st of July 1889 by Governor Viscount Gormanston and Archbishop of British Guiana William Percy Austin who blessed the building. The opening saw 400 of Guyana’s elites being invited, that opening day saw 8,000 people passing through the building; although only 6,000 tickets were issued.

There were performances by the then military band and a Portuguese band being the most popular bands those days, at that time. The first mayor being George Anderson Sorshow bought the site on March of 1887.

The motto of city council “Petimus,” Latin phrase meaning, “We give and ask in return.” The reverend Ignatius Scoles, the architect who designed the building had declined his award. The building was constructed by Sprostons and Sons of La Penitance Wood Working Company.

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Restoration of City Hall a great initiative

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