Southampton Guildhall, Southampton, UK

The Civic Centre in Southampton is the home of Southampton City Council.

It hosts a police station, council offices, the Guildhall venue, the well-endowed city art gallery, and the city library.

History

The north (arts) wing, hosting the art gallery and library.

The first block to be opened was the south block, the municipal offices. This too was opened by the Duke of York, and his wife, the Duchess of York, on 8 November 1932.

The Guildhall (east wing), with collonaded façade.

The second block, opened on 3 November 1933, was the west block, the law courts. This building now hosts the city centre police station, with the courts having moved to a larger complex, which incorporates some of the original Ordnance Survey buildings. The west block includes the famous clock tower, known colloquially at the time as ''Kimber's Chimney'', after the mayor.

The other components of the building were slightly later in development. Work on the Guildhall (the east wing) began in March 1934. The Guildhall was intended as a social location for municipal functions. Prior to this, some municipal functions were held on ocean liners that were moored in Southampton docks, including Cunard's Olympic. The Guildhall was opened on 13 February 1937, with 2000 people assembled in the main hall for the opening.