White Hall a.k.a. Rosenweg

Second in the lineup of the Magnificant Seven, (moving from North to South) is White Hall, originally called Rosenweg. 

White Hall.
Taken on the 14th February, 2016

Designed and constructed by Joseph Leon Agostini in 1904, White Hall took three years to complete construction, and was styled after Moorish Mediterranean architecture which was inspired by Corsica, the island from which the Agostini family originate (Corsica is located in western Mediterranean’s Tyrrhenian Sea).

Source: Google Maps. Accessed March 29th.

The Moors were Muslim inhabitants, North African people who conquered the Iberian Peninsula, Sicily, Malta and many other islands in the Western Medierranean at the beginning of the 7^th century BC. As a result, moorish architecture can be described as a variation of Islamic Architecture. The elements that are present in many designs are motifs and repeated patterns, intricate calligraphy, vegetative design, a variety of arches (both rounded and pointed) and decorative tiles. Today, mosques exist as the most common examples of Moorish architecture, the most famous of which is Mezquita, or the Grand Mosque of Cordoba, Spain. An accomplished representation and monument of Moorish architecture, it is renowned for its exquisiteness, elegance and intricacy.

Grand Mosque of Cordoba, Spain. Image source: ABC News Point "Top 10 Most Beautiful and Largest Mosques in the World". Accessed March 29th 2016

The Prayer Hall at the Grand Mosque. The graceful pillars and stripped double arches are most notable.
Source: National Geographic Education: Moorish Architecture. Accessed. March 29th 2016.

The Agostini family supposedly resided at White Hall until the collapse of the Trinidad’s cocoa industry, which resulted in their inability to fulfil mortgage payments since Mr. Agostini was a cocoa planter. As a result, the residence foreclosed and was sold a year after Mr. Agostinis death. The name White Hall came into existence when the new owner, Mr. Robert Henderson renamed it after the coral stone from which it is built.

When U.S. troops arrived in Trinidad at the beginning of WWII, White Hall was seized from the Seigert family (Henderson’s heirs) and used as the Air Raid Precaution headquarters for four years. After this time, it was used as a cultural centre by the British Council  in 1944. White Hall remained empty from 1949 (when the British Council did not renew their lease) up to 1954 when the government of Trinidad and Tobago purchased it. In 1957, prior to the establishment of the West Indies Federation, it was used by the Pre-Federal Interim Government.

Fun Fact:

In 1963, the Honourable Dr. Eric Williams, first Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, occupied White Hall as his Office; this use maintained as the Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago’s office until 2009. It was restored in 2000 and stands in decent condition today. The government is currently preparing for further restoration initiatives.

BONUS! 
Included below is a link to a film which was uploaded by Nahda Media and published to YouTube on 17th October 2009 by user Fazzamin. 
It outlines the effect that the Moorish people had on Europe at the time of their conquering, and further details the intricacies and beauty that is custom to the Moorish architectural style. 
Enjoy :) 

When the Moors (Muslims) Ruled Europe: Documentary (full)