As the square would be the focal point of civic authority in Birkenhead, a lot was purposely left vacant on the east side of the square for a town hall. On 10 July 1835 part of the unused site, between Hamilton Street and Chester Street, was used to establish Birkenhead's first market. An increase in the town's population led to the opening of a much larger market nearby in 1845. In 1883, almost sixty years after work started, construction on the town hall began. Birkenhead Town Hall, which opened in 1887, was designed by local architect Charles Ellison. It is built of Scottish granite and sandstone from the local quarry at Storeton. The upper part of the clock tower was rebuilt in 1901 after suffering fire damage.