The constructions works for the town hall in Frankfurt (Oder) started in 1253. It was built in the northern German Gothic brick style. Initially, the building served as a two-storey shopping hall with council chamber and "Gerichtslaube" (courthouse arcade). The lavish south gable was added in the second half of the 14th century. The hovering, gold-plated herring on a fishing rod on the gable dates from the year 1454. It signifies the importance of the medieval herring trade in the town of Frankfurt. The extension was converted from 1607 to 1609 by the Italian architect Paglion in the Renaissance style. The building suffered extensive damage at the end of the Second World War; funds were raised in 1949 with the "Rettet das Rathaus" (save the town hall) lottery and restoration works started in 1950. Today the town hall houses the city administration and the "Galerie Junge Kunst" (young art gallery) as well as a restaurant and the "Die Oderhähne" cabaret theatre.