Edinburgh's New 'Hall for All' Concert Venue Construction Contract Signed

Construction on Edinburgh’s highly anticipated Dunard Centre, a new purpose-built concert hall, is set to commence within weeks following the signing of a £162 million contract with Balfour Beatty. This significant milestone, bolstered by a £40 million funding boost, brings the city closer to realizing its first new concert hall in over a century. The “hall for all” is slated for completion by 2029.

Key Takeaways

A £162 million construction contract has been signed with Balfour Beatty for the Dunard Centre.
The project received a crucial £40 million funding boost, including a £20 million pledge from the Scottish Government matched by philanthropist Carol Colburn Grigor.
The 1,000-seat venue will be home to the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and a new venue for the Edinburgh International Festival.
Completion is expected by 2029, with the venue aiming to attract 200,000 visitors annually and support nearly 300 jobs.

A New Cultural Hub For Edinburgh

The Dunard Centre, designed by David Chipperfield Architects and Reiach and Hall Architects, will be situated on a cleared site behind the historic Royal Bank of Scotland branch on St Andrew Square. This 1,000-seat venue is envisioned as a versatile space capable of hosting all genres of music, providing a permanent home for the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and serving as a new venue for the Edinburgh International Festival.

Funding Boost Secures Project Future

The project reached a critical juncture with an in-principle pledge of an additional £20 million from Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney. This significant contribution was matched pound-for-pound by philanthropist Carol Colburn Grigor, unlocking vital funding for the construction. IMPACT Scotland, the charity responsible for delivering the hall, highlighted the importance of this funding in making the project a reality.

Jo Buckley, chief executive of the Dunard Centre, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “This is a huge milestone for the Dunard Centre, and an historic moment for the city, which has looked forward to this new venue for many years.” She further emphasized the long-lasting impact the investment will have on the people of Scotland.

Collaborative Investment and Economic Impact

The Dunard Centre is part of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal. This initiative has already seen commitments of £10 million each from the Scottish and UK governments, alongside £5 million from the City of Edinburgh Council. To date, IMPACT Scotland has successfully raised over £100 million through private philanthropy.

First Minister John Swinney welcomed the contract signing, calling it “the next step towards the establishment of an exciting new cultural venue in the heart of Scotland’s capital.” He added that the Scottish Government is “proud to support the Dunard Centre in recognition of its potential to significantly boost Edinburgh’s cultural offering.”

The venue is expected to be the first in the UK to feature acoustics designed by Japanese firm Nagata Acoustics. Projections indicate that the Dunard Centre will attract approximately 200,000 visitors annually, support nearly 300 jobs, and contribute an estimated £8.6 million per year to the local economy.

Scotland Office minister Kirsty McNeill acknowledged the project’s significance, stating, “The UK Government recognises the significance of the Dunard Centre to Edinburgh’s cultural landscape and welcomes this progress towards delivery.”

At its peak, the construction project is anticipated to employ around 200 people. IMPACT Scotland chairman Ronnie Bowie expressed his anticipation for the collaboration with Balfour Beatty and other stakeholders to create a space that “really will offer something for everyone.”