Southend Civic Centre, Town hall in Southend-on-Sea, England.
Southend Civic Centre is a town hall in Southend-on-Sea featuring a 16-story rectangular tower block with 20 bays facing Victoria Avenue and a separate two-story council chamber. The civic square with its fountain connects these structures and creates a public gathering space.
Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother opened the building on 31 October 1967 after the council decided to centralize all municipal staff at Victoria Avenue. This move consolidated the city's administrative operations into one modern location.
The William Mitchell fountain in the civic square displays stone slabs with carvings that tell stories from Southend-on-Sea's past. These artworks offer visitors a chance to learn about the city's development as they walk through the space.
The complex is located on Victoria Avenue and is most accessible during weekday hours when municipal services are available. The surrounding area includes other office and administrative buildings that shape the character of this district.
The building houses a bronze sculpture titled 'Leda and the Swan' that was relocated several times due to public reactions. This history reflects how public perception of artworks can shift over time.
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