Newport Civic Centre


Newport Civic Centre is the seat of government for the city of Newport, South Wales. It is a Grade II* Listed building.

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 and the ceremonial first sod was cut by King George VI on 14 July 1937. However, progress was delayed by the advent of the Second World War. 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. The building, which Newman in The Buildings of Wales describes the Civic Centre as "something of a disappointment", finally opened in 1964.
A court complex was added between 1989 and 1991. 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.