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.
5. Stepping back in time
Officials take a look round the site as it stands empty before its opening later in the year. | se
6. A mammoth task
A photo which shows the scale of the project in the middle of Sunderland. | se
7. A close-up view
Still plenty to do before the Civic Centre opened later in the year in 1970. | se
8. An impressive sight
Locals would have been treated to this view as the new £3.5 million project took shape. | se
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