| Newcastle Civic Centre | |
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Newcastle Civic Centre |
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| General information | |
| Location | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Completed | 1967 |
| Inaugurated | 14 November 1968 |
Newcastle Civic Centre is a civic centre located in the Haymarket area of Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It is the main administrative and ceremonial centre for Newcastle City Council.[1] Designed by the city architect, George Kenyon,[2] the building was completed in 1967 and was formally opened by HM King Olav V of Norway on 14 November 1968.[3] It is a Grade II* listed building.[4] The Newcastle Civic Centre is the joint eighth tallest building in the city.
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Plans to build a new city hall[5] 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.[3]
Work 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.[3] 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 "Ha'way-tha-lads!"[6] A stone commemorating the event was placed in the Centre grounds.[7] On October 5, 2009, Secret Affair was the first Iive music act to have performed at the Civic Centre.
The Civic Centre is also notable for its modern sculptures, in particular the "River God Tyne" and "Swans in Flight", both by David Wynne.[8] The cashiers reception of the rates hall has an abstract mural by Victor Pasmore.