Newcastle Civic Centre is the main administrative and ceremonial headquarters of Newcastle City Council. Designed by city architect George Kenyon, the building was constructed between 1960 and 1967, with the foundation stone laid by the Lord Mayor, Alderman Mrs. Gladys Robson, on 30 November 1960
The Civic Centre was officially opened on 14 November 1968 by King Olav V of Norway, reflecting the strong historical ties between Newcastle and Scandinavia
It was built to replace the old Victorian Town Hall in St Nicholas Square, which was later demolished in 1973.
The building is a striking example of post-war modernist architecture and is recognised as a Grade II* listed structure. It stands at 200 feet (61 metres) tall, making it one of the tallest buildings in the city
The Civic Centre is also notable for its public art, including the "River God Tyne" and "Swans in Flight" sculptures by David Wynne, and the iconic seahorses atop the tower by John Robert Murray McCheyne. Inside, the former rates hall features abstract murals by Victor Pasmore
A memorable moment in its history occurred in 1977, when U.S. President Jimmy Carter visited and famously greeted the crowd with the Geordie phrase, "Howay the lads!"—a moment commemorated with a stone in the Civic Centre grounds.