Historic buildings with civic function

Historic buildings with a civic function such as City Hall, courts, banks, halls and churches are often standalone, but in the context of the city centre more often form part of the city's streetscape and enrich its sense of place, local identity and essential character. A primary example being City Hall, a nodal landmark in the city centre from which the main city centre streets radiate. They also tend to have been designed to a high quality with height used to express their civic importance and significance by way of projecting elements such as spires and towers, as is the case with St. Anne's Cathedral located on Donegall Street which includes a later addition in the form of a 40m stainless steel tower installed in 2007. As a result of constraints imposed by its size or incompatibility in relation to the preservation and conservation of listed buildings and heritage assets in or adjacent to conservation areas, areas of townscape character and historic monuments/gardens, not every site or property will be suitable for the siting of a tall building.