Newcastle Civic Centre
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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, the building was completed in 1967 and was formally opened by HM King Olav V of Norway on 14 November 1968.[2]
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[edit] History
Plans to build a new city hall[3] 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.[4]
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.[5] 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]
[edit] Tower
The building is notable for its large white stone tower, which is a highly visible landmark in the city. It is often lit in blue at night. The tower contains a 25-bell carillon, which is played on Saturday afternoons.[8]
The crown of the tower features twelve cast bronze seahorses' heads, a reference to the city's crest. The heads are 1.4m high and 1.6m wide and were created by J.R.M. McCheyne, who was Master of Sculpture at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne in the 1950s and '60s.[9]
[edit] References
- ^ Official website, URL accessed 12 March 2007.
- ^ Official website, URL accessed 12 March 2007.
- ^ Not to be confused with Newcastle City Hall, a concert hall
- ^ Official website, URL accessed 12 March 2007.
- ^ Official website, URL accessed 12 March 2007.
- ^ The American Presidency Project by John Woolley and Gerhard Peters, URL accessed 12 March 2007.
- ^ Jimmy Carter stone, URL accessed 13 March 2007.
- ^ GNCA.org, URL accessed 12 March 2007.
- ^ Public art in Newcastle, URL accessed 12 March 2007.
