It is home to antiques, grand paintings and museum treasures.
But historic County Buildings is also a modern workplace housing 300 staff delivering services for more than 112,000 people in South Ayrshire.
From the grandeur of Provost Helen Moonie’s luxurious sea-view office to the dingy corridors of the basement, the 1931 landmark is full of character.
Our Local Democracy Reporter went on a ‘behind the scenes’ tour guided by council depute chief executive Douglas Hutchison.
Looking around County Buildings, it is clear to see that history speaks through the detailed decor oozing out of every cornice. Two sweeping staircases sparkle with stunning stained-glass windows which hark back to the time when the whole of Ayrshire was divided into burghs.
Each burgh had a crest, which are intricately etched into the glass. They include Ayr, Irvine, Troon Prestwick, Darvel, Kilmarnock, Largs and Saltcoats among others.
Nowadays Ayrshire is ruled by three separate councils but the County Buildings design still echoes a past when Ayr reigned supreme.
Its former position of housing the entire admininstrative work of the county is reflected in its extravagant architecture.
The main council chambers where all major decisions take place have sleek slide-back oak panels – which open into other rooms. The chambers could have one of the finest council views in the country overlooking the Firth of Clyde.
Every committee room has an open fireplace, which would have warmed the wind-battered building before central heating.
Another room has a glass display cabinet showing a town clerk wig and Royal Burgh of Ayr Truncheon among other artefacts.
Councillors have their own swish ‘members library’ with newspapers, tea and coffee. The details of meetings taking place behind closed doors are still written in old-fashioned chalk on the front of blackboards.
Showing us around, Mr Hutchison said: “This the front face of the council where the council business takes place.”
The director of people also took us to a secret location – a secure vault – which opens into a large room for storing
postal votes.
Now there is a mission to make the historic building more up to date to adhere with current workday practices. The original architecture is in conflict with the needs of a functional workplace where open-plan is the norm.
Attempts to fit more people into open- plan space means walls must come down but due to the listed status of the landmark all alterations must be carefully managed.
There is also a need to make room for staff coming from the John Pollock centre and soon-to-be demolished Burns House.
In contrast to the splendid offices and committee meeting rooms on the first floor, a newly renovated office for employee services staff features skylights and a purple meeting pod.
Mr Hutchison said: “It is a lovely building. But trying to fit a modern working environment into an old building is not easy. There is a lot going on to make it more modern. We need to make more efficient use of space. The days of everybody turning up at their desks are gone. We have to work more flexibly.”
Mr Hutchison showed us empty offices stripped bare, which are currently awaiting a facelift.
Money to maintain the seat of power is ongoing with windows getting replaced along with other repairs.
Mr Hutchison said: “There is a programme of general investment in the building.”
