IMPACT Scotland and Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) have officially marked the transfer of the land behind the RBS’s iconic Dundas House. The move will be the final step of the way towards allowing work to begin in the preparation of the site for the construction of Dunard Centre due to start later in 2023.
The music venue, which was given the green light by Edinburgh’s planning authorities in November 2021, is set transform the city’s cultural offering with the construction of its first purpose built concert hall in over 100 years, completing James Craig’s plans for Edinburgh’s now New Town.
Co-Chair of IMPACT Scotland and Chief Executive of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra Gavin Reid said “Together, we are building a bold and brilliant venue which is an expression of faith in our city, our country and our future. The Dunard Centre will be a place where musicians and audiences come together to create and share extraordinary experiences. Through this final design stage we are enjoying the challenge of ensuring excellence in every surface, corridor, seat and handrail. Every detail of the building will be finely tuned to make sure that concert going is an inspirational and exhilarating experience.”
A specialist team led by award winning David Chipperfield Architects and Nagata Acoustics has designed the Dunard Centre to stand with any in the world for design, intimacy and clarity of sound. With seating for 1000 people, the venue will be a transformational new home for Scottish Chamber Orchestra, an iconic new venue for Edinburgh International Festival and a gift to music lovers and performers of all genres.
It is expected that all clearance work will complete later in 2023 and that work will begin on the new concert hall soon after.
Dunard Centre is being funded through substantial philanthropic donations, including the Dunard Fund, and underpinned by £25 million support from the Scottish and UK governments and the City of Edinburgh Council, as part of the City Region Deal. Royal Bank of Scotland is supporting the project by providing a long-term lease for the land which sits directly behind Dundas House on St Andrew Square. A campaign is well underway to secure the remaining funds required before construction begins later in 2023.
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 