The Carlisle Civic Centre consists of a 44 metre high tower using pre-cast concrete components and a separate two-storey octagonal building to accommodate the council chamber. The building design reflects a desire to reduce separation between councillors of opposing political focus. 

The octagonal building, sometimes referred to as "the rotunda" was commended in the 1966 national Civic Trust Awards. The centre was damaged when it was completely surrounded by water during the local flooding in December 2015. In May 2020, the council approved a renovation works, that involved the demolition of the octagonal building. In 2021 The Guardian listed the Civic Centre as one of Britain's Brutalist buildings most at risk of demolition and development.