Originally built as private space for the Mayor, the three interconnecting rooms were created in 1890-91 in recognition of the increasing civic role of the wife of the Mayor of the day. The rooms continue to be used today for official entertaining by the Lady Mayoress, who maintains a small office on the adjacent verandah. Courtesy callers and official visitors to the City of Sydney are also entertained here. The rooms are opened to the public several times each year and are a popular highlight of Open Days. These created the French Parisienne salon style reception rooms which were popular in England at the time.
Decorative plasterwork includes Grecian motif friezes and ceiling roses.
The original black marble fireplaces remain, complete with majolica tiles and marble surrounds. The rooms were originally furnished with Edwardian copies of English Hepplewhite and Sheraton sofa chairs, sofas and tables, purchased from local Sydney department stores. This furniture remains in use today, with the addition of some contemporary pieces and a suite of Australian cedar furniture. A number of significant items from the Town Hall Collection are displayed in the Lady Mayoress Rooms.