Labour and Lib Dems councillors have paid their respects to man responsible for some of Gateshead’s most famous buildings
Gateshead International stadium, 2023(Image: Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
Tributes have been paid to the architect behind major Gateshead landmarks who has died aged 92.
Both sides of Gateshead Council’s chamber have paid their respects to the late Dennis Robson, the man responsible for both the Civic Centre, on Regent Terrace, and Gateshead International Stadium. Mr Robson, who passed aged 92, served as the council’s service director of architectural services from 1973 to 1995 and as Northumbria Police’s technical director and architect from 1986 to 1995.
Mr Robson was known by those who knew him for his love of sailing, Morgan cars, and his keen artistic ability. He was also the architect for Gateshead Leisure Centre.
Council leader Martin Gannon said: “I worked with Dennis for many years, he was involved in the Garden Festival, the development of the Civic Centre and numerous schools. All those buildings throughout Gateshead that have Dennis’s style are of high quality. Red bricked, red tiled.
“He was a really dedicated public servant. He was absolutely committed to high quality. Gateshead Civic Centre is around 40 years old and you can feel the quality of that place.”
Liberal Democrat councillor Jonathan Wallace added: “He’s the one who moved the council from a string of old buildings spread throughout the borough, left from former councils. It meant that overall we supported staff in one large building which was much cheaper to run.
Gateshead Civic Centre(Image: Council handout)
“His legacy is that he left us with a much more manageable estate.”
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