Municipal Deptford came to New Cross in 1905 when the Metropolitan Borough of Deptford built its new Town Hall.

It is highly decorative, with naval and maritime references reflecting the seafaring history of the area.

Until 1900, when the Metropolitan Borough of Deptford was established, local administration was carried out by the Greenwich Board of Works.

Unfortunately the new borough did not include Deptford's historic centre of St Nicholas' Parish, as this became part of the Metropolitan Borough of Greenwich. This anomaly has continued to the present day.

The Town Hall is now used by Goldsmiths' College.