Swansea Guildhall
The Guildhall (Welsh: Guildhall, Abertawe) is one of the main office buildings of the City and County of Swansea Council. The Guildhall complex, which includes the City Hall, Brangwyn Hall (concert hall) and the County Law Courts for Swansea, is a Grade I listed building.[1]
Guildhall | |
---|---|
General information | |
Location | Swansea, Wales |
Address | Swansea SA1 4PE |
Coordinates | 51°36′51.00″N 3°57′37.00″W |
Construction started | 1930 |
Completed | 1934 |
Inaugurated | 23 October 1934 |
Cost | £300,000 |
Owner | City and County of Swansea Council |
Height | 48 metres (clock tower) |
Design and construction | |
Architect | Sir Percy Thomas |
Main contractor | Messrs. E Turner & Sons Ltd |
References | |
Listed Building – Grade I | |
Official name | Swansea Guildhall |
Designated | 25 July 1994 |
Reference no. | 14594 |
History
The Guildhall, which was designed by architect Sir Percy Thomas in the Neoclassical style, was built on what was once part of Victoria Park. Construction began in 1930 and was completed in 1934, and the building was formally opened on 23 October of that year.[1] The building is finished in white Portland stone, and includes a tall art deco clock-tower, making it a landmark. Part of the clock-tower design features the prow of a Viking longboat, a reminder of Sweyn Forkbeard, thought to be the founder of Swansea.[2]
Before local government re-organisation in 1996 it was the headquarters for the former Swansea City Council.[3]
See also
- Dylan Thomas Centre, which occupies the building that was the former Swansea Guildhall
- Guild
- Guildhall
- Swansea Civic Centre
References
- Cadw. "Swansea Guildhall (14594)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
- Frith Book Company Ltd., ed. (2007-07-26). Swansea Pocket Album. Frith Book Company Ltd. ISBN 1-85937-717-3.
- "Swansea Guildhall celebrates 75 years". Wales online. 15 October 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
External links
Media related to Guildhall, Swansea at Wikimedia Commons - Architectural Gallery: Swansea Architecture
- City & County of Swansea: Architecture of the Guildhall