City of Newcastle staff have ended the first week at their new digs in Newcastle West, capping off the end of a long history at the former civic buildings and ushering in a new era for the organisation.
The majority of about 450 city-based staff moved into the new leased premises on Stewart Avenue on Tuesday.
They left behind the City Administration Centre, best known as the "roundhouse", and the historic, but well worn Fred Ash Building.
Chief executive Jeremy Bath said the transition had been embraced by staff.
"Frankly, it has been a stunning success," he said.
"The feedback has been universally popular. It has been a little bit of a disruptive week ... but it's wonderful to hear how positively staff have embraced not just the new location, but the very different way staff are expected to work."
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The council has made a move to "activity-based working", where staff choose their work space and desk each day, which Mr Bath said would help foster "far greater collaboration and far greater communication".
The plush new offices include a range of modern features and allow many teams to work together in the same room for the first time.
"This is probably second-only to the introduction of e-mail," Mr Bath said of the significance of the move.
Geof Mansfield started work for the council in 1974 as a cadet draftsman. He now works in planning and assessment.
Mr Mansfield said while there had been some "apprehension" about the move, it had proved beneficial for his department.
"For a start, we're all the one floor," he said.
"It's easy to connect, you can see where people are and easily access them.
"Previously we were on two or three floors. You didn't even know if someone was in the office.
"It's a simple thing, but it just makes your workday that little bit more seamless."
Mr Mansfield said the move was "council acknowledging we're now in the 21st century".
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"It reflects that council is keeping pace with technological changes and changes in the office environment," he said.
"It can't help but motivate staff and keep them connected with each other and committed.
"I see a very bright future."
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Mr Bath said the new offices would boost staff morale and help make council a more attractive workplace for prospective employees.
"For our staff to finally feel that they are being appreciated, and that they have an executive team and an elected council that have faith in them, and that believe they are just as deserving of quality accomdation ... of the equipment and technology that all of their colleagues in the corporate world have been enjoying for a decade, is very affirming and can only lift the culture and therefore the productivity of this organisation," he said.
"Every single part of this building has been designed in a very carefully and considered way.
"Frankly I'd have to say our greatest consultation project to date, certainly in my two and a half years, has been with our staff and making sure we give them a building that they can be comfortable in, that they can be proud of and that will allow them to be more efficient and more productive."
