Until 1775, the seat of the local government stood, more or less on the same site, a massive building of the “halle” type similar to the meat hall that still exists in Liège, but with one storey. During the 18th century, Verviers prospered thanks to wool work and its population continued to grow. The authorities then decided to build a town hall commensurate with its wealth.The Liège architect Jacques-Barthélemy Renoz, known at the time for many projects, was chosen. He built this building in the style of the period, the neo-classical. Total symmetry, exterior and interior, decorations without frills and the use of iron. The façade consists of a three-bayed forecourt flanked by two wings, with staircases, also comprising three bays each.The windows on the two levels are different; those on the first level, surmounted by a drapery and a powerful weeping canopy, are round, while those on the second level, surmounted by a key adorned with a mascaron and supporting a laurel wreath, are rectangular.The curved upper pediment bears the coat of arms of the city, surrounded by garlands of laurels and framed by two toddlers (one carrying a shuttle, the other a thistle, two emblems of the wool industry). Below the pediment, the inscription added at the request of Pierre David, the first mayor after the independence of our country, “Publicity, safeguard of the people”, means that making public the meetings of the communal council protects the people.An octagonal bell tower crowns the building, with a clock dial, surmounted by a radial sphere.