In January 1970, the finishing touches were being put to the Burdon Road building.
The Sunderland Echo was there to record the occasion and here are those scenes in nine retro views.
Re-live the earliest days of the Civic Centre which served Sunderland until 2021.
1. Back to January 1970
The huge structure was approaching completion when the Echo photographer captured these scenes. | se
2. Seen in Sunderland
Workers discuss the latest developments in a scene from 55 years ago. | se
4. Flashback to 1970
The start of the Civic Centre era. One of many views of the building 55 years ago. | se
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