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Newcastle Civic Centre
Newcastle Civic Centre.JPG
Newcastle Civic Centre
General information
Location Newcastle upon Tyne
Address Civic Centre
Barras Bridge
Haymarket
Newcastle upon Tyne
Coordinates 54°58′44″N 1°36′39″W / 54.9790°N 1.6109°W / 54.9790; -1.6109
Completed 1967
Inaugurated 14 November 1968
Owner Newcastle City Council
Height 200 ft (61 m)
Design and construction
Architect George Kenyon
Designations
Listed Building – Grade II*
Official name: Civic Centre
Designated: 16 November 1995
Reference #: 1242692

Newcastle Civic Centre is a local government building located in the Haymarket area of Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It is the main administrative and ceremonial centre for Newcastle City Council. Designed by the city architect, George Kenyon, the building was completed in 1967 and was formally opened by King Olav V of Norway on 14 November 1968. The building enjoys Grade II* listed building status and is the joint-eighth tallest building in the city, standing at a total of 200 feet (61 m).

History

Plans to build a new city hall on the site at Barras Bridge had been proposed prior to the outbreak of the Second World War, to the point of holding an architectural competition, although these were halted by the war; and due to post-war restrictions on capital expenditure, it was not until August 1956 that authorisation to begin construction was granted. During the interim period, the demolition of houses and a former Eye Hospital on the intended site was implemented. The building was designed by the city architect, George Kenyon.

The construction work, which was undertaken by Sir Robert McAlpine, commenced on the building in May 1960, and the foundation stone was laid by the Lord Mayor, Alderman Mrs Gladys Robson, on 30 November 1960. The building was completed in 1967 and was formally opened by HM King Olav V of Norway on 14 November 1968. The total construction cost was £4,855,000. Newcastle's Victorian Town Hall which stood in the centre of the Bigg Market was demolished in 1973. On 6 May 1977, the Civic Centre was visited by the 39th President of the United States, Jimmy Carter, who delivered a speech famously containing the Geordie phrase "Howay the lads!" A stone commemorating the event was placed in the Centre grounds.

The council leader's office was used as a filming location by a Japanese production team in 2014 for a drama set in 1960s Tokyo.

The Civic Centre is also notable for its modern sculptures, in particular the "River God Tyne" and "Swans in Flight", both by David Wynne and the seahorses on the top of the tower by John Robert Murray McCheyne. The cashiers reception of the former rates hall, now the Customer Service Centre, has two abstract murals by Victor Pasmore.

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