The block containing the town council chamber, with the Isbjørnklubben underneath, is situated facing the public square. Its shape, with its high window panes, indicates that this is a space with a high ceiling, i.e. the town council chamber.

Hammerfest was completely razed to the ground at the end of the Second World War

only the cemetery chapel remained standing. The reconstruction plan for Hammerfest was created by architect Bjarne Lous Mohr in Oslo. The public buildings were cleverly incorporated into the town plan in such a way as to create variety and excitement. Along Kirkegata, the main access artery, for example, the church and fire station (now the museum of reconstruction) are situated at the top of the hill, while the town hall and cinema/festivity centre are at the bottom, by the sea. The heart of town is the public square, with the market square occupying the former dockyard, and the town wall as the only wall in the market square area. The public square extends from the sea towards the foot of the mountain, crossing the main street. The square has been created in the form of a park, with a music pavilion, monuments and planted areas.