The five-storey Palmerston North City Council administration building and Council Chamber (attached at right) were constructed 1976-79. The contractor was McMillan & Lockwood Ltd of Palmerston North. The siting of the complex over the roadway and into The Square gardens was controversial. The first Council meeting was held in the new premises in December 1979, and Council staff moved in, in January 1980.
The PNCC administration building was opened in 1980. Its design was an example of Brutalism architecture. The Hopwood clock tower completed in 1957, houses the original Post Office clock. Behind the clock tower can be seen the Council chamber. The clock tower was upgraded c2008, and is now illuminated in different colours at dark and features a glassed-in cross. The administration building was also partially painted about the same time, eliminating some of the starkness of the building.
The Centennial Convention Centre, the third and final stage of the Civic Centre, was officially opened on Sunday September 28, 1980. The centre was designed to hold conferences, exhibitions, social events. The ground floor has the exhibition hall, foyer, social gallery and kitchen facilities. On the first floor is the convention hall, gallery, bar, and food preparation areas. Both areas can double as conference areas and operate independently at the same time, catering for up to 1000 people. This view shows the centre from the Piazza, between the Civic Administration building and the Convention Centre.
A new civic centre was constructed for the Palmerston North City Council 1976-1980, with Council staff moving in January 1980. It consisted of Council offices, Council Chamber and Convention Centre. the Council Chamber is connected to the CAB via an internal ramp.
A new Civic Centre, consisting of Council offices and Council Chamber, was constructed for the Palmerston North City Council 1976-1979.