Newport Civic Centre
Newport Civic Centre (Welsh: Casnewydd Canolfan Ddinesig) is the seat of government for the city of Newport, South Wales. It is a Grade II* Listed building.[1]
Newport Civic Centre | |
---|---|
General information | |
Architectural style | Art Deco |
Listed Building – Grade II* | |
Official name | Newport Civic Centre |
Designated | 14 September 1999 |
Reference no. | 22333 |
Town or city | Newport |
Country | United Kingdom |
Coordinates | 51.588713°N 3.006011°W |
Construction started | 1937 |
Completed | 1964 |
Client | Newport Corporation |
Design and construction | |
Architect | Thomas Cecil Howitt |
History
The building was commissioned to replace the aging town hall in Commercial Street. Following a design competition, it was designed by Thomas Cecil Howitt in the Art Deco style[2] and the ceremonial first sod was cut by King George VI on 14 July 1937.[1] However, progress was delayed by the advent of the Second World War.[1] Work resumed after the war: the building was fitted out, a collection of 12 murals by the German artist Hans Feibusch exhibit installed and the clock tower was finished.[1] The building, which Newman in The Buildings of Wales describes the Civic Centre as "something of a disappointment", finally opened in 1964.[2]
A court complex was added between 1989 and 1991.[1] The building was the meeting place of Newport Borough Council until the town was granted formal city status as part of a contest for the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002 and the building then became the home of Newport City Council.[3]
References
- Cadw. "Newport Civic Centre (22333)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
- Newman, John (2000), The Buildings of Wales: Gwent/Monmouthshire, Penguin Books, p. 74, ISBN 0-14-071053-1
- "Newport wins battle for city status". BBC News. 2002-03-14. Archived from the original on 14 March 2018. Retrieved 2019-09-12.