APPROVAL FOR EDINBURGH’S DUNARD CENTRE

Edinburgh’s first purpose-built music and performance venue for over 100 years will be called Dunard Centre, supported by Royal Bank of Scotland.

The venue, which is the flagship cultural project of the City Region Deal, was agreed for planning approval by the Development Management Sub Committee of City of Edinburgh Council.

Welcoming the decision, Sir Ewan Brown, Chairman of IMPACT Scotland said:

“Today’s decision is tremendous news for the City and turns the ambition for a world-class centre for music and performance, into a reality.

“I am particularly pleased to announce today that the official name of the venue will be Dunard Centre supported by Royal Bank of Scotland, this is in recognition of the huge contribution Carol Grigor has made to this project through the charitable trust Dunard Fund.

“We now have the opportunity to create an exciting new venue for everyone, in a building to be proud of.”

Speaking during the committee hearing, architect Sir David Chipperfield said: 

“This will be a public building that relates to Edinburgh on a civic scale by both fitting in and standing out in order to perform an important social and cultural role in a city with strong established cultural traditions.”

 

 

NOTES:

  1. IMPACT Scotland is the charitable trust overseeing the project to create Dunard Centre supported by Royal Bank of Scotland which will be built just off St Andrew Square in Edinburgh.

  2. The project is receiving £25 million through the Edinburgh City Region Deal (£10 million UK Government, £10 million Scottish Government, £5 million City of Edinburgh Council) 

  3. All other funding is being met privately, most significantly from Dunard Fund who, in addition to a substantial donation, are underwriting any capital cost overruns and annual deficits of the centre in the first 3 years of operation.

  4. Dunard Centre supported by Royal Bank of Scotland will comprise; a 1,000-seat auditorium; 200-seat studio; a large foyer for all-day, informal performance; and a café/bar.  There will be a range of general-purpose rooms suitable for education, community outreach activities and as conference spaces.

  5. The venue will be for all kinds of music and performance and for education, rehearsal and recording.  It will be the new home of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and a principal venue for the Edinburgh International Festival.

  6. Find out more at www.impactscotland.org.uk

 

Contact:  Elaine Ravenscroft, IMPACT Scotland, 07919 468 960 or elaine.ravenscroft@impactscotland.org.uk