Balfour Beatty Secures £162 Million Contract for Edinburgh's New Dunard Centre

Balfour Beatty has been awarded a significant £162 million contract by IMPACT Scotland to construct the Dunard Centre, a state-of-the-art concert hall set to become Edinburgh’s first purpose-built music venue in over a century. The project, located behind St Andrew Square, promises to be a major cultural landmark.

Key Takeaways

Balfour Beatty appointed as main contractor for the £162 million Dunard Centre.
The venue will feature a 1,000-seat auditorium and house the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
Construction is set to begin in the coming weeks, with completion anticipated in 2029.
The project aims to create new apprenticeship roles and support local SMEs.

A New Cultural Hub For Edinburgh

The Dunard Centre will boast a 1,000-seat auditorium, designed with world-class acoustics through the use of solid oak panelling internally. Beyond the main performance space, the venue will include a café, bar, and flexible areas suitable for a variety of events. A complex double-level in-situ concrete basement will accommodate performer facilities and essential back-of-house operations. The main structure will comprise a five-storey steel frame, clad in pre-cast concrete panels.

Project Development and Timeline

Balfour Beatty’s appointment follows an intensive 18-month early contractor involvement (ECI) phase. During this period, the company collaborated closely with IMPACT Scotland and the project team to address the complexities of building on a constrained city centre site, focusing on buildability and sequencing. Main construction is scheduled to commence in the coming weeks, with the project expected to be completed in 2029. At its peak, the construction site will employ approximately 200 operatives.

Previous Contractor and Funding

This project was previously slated for Sir Robert McAlpine, which had been involved in preconstruction work since 2019. However, that arrangement concluded in 2022 due to a revised design and procurement strategy. The project has also benefited from additional funding, including an in-principle pledge of £20 million from Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney, matched by US philanthropist Dr. Carol Colburn Grigor. The Dunard Centre is part of the Edinburgh & South East Scotland City Region Deal, with contributions from the Scottish and UK governments, and the City of Edinburgh Council, alongside significant private philanthropy.

Community and Economic Impact

Balfour Beatty is committed to creating at least five new apprenticeship roles and supporting ongoing SVQ Modern Apprenticeships, fostering skills development within the construction sector. A local supply chain strategy will prioritise Scottish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with 4D digital planning tools employed to optimise coordination and minimise disruption in the busy city centre. Once operational, the Dunard Centre is projected to attract around 200,000 visitors annually and will serve as the permanent home for the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and a key venue for the Edinburgh International Festival.