Laying the Foundations - Dunard Centre Annual Report

Construction of the Dunard Centre – Edinburgh’s first purpose‑built concert hall in more than 100 years – is well underway. Tucked behind the historic RBS branch at St Andrew Square, the construction site has been transformed into a hive of daily activity since we broke ground back in December, giving us an early glimpse of all the vibrant, bustling energy that will animate this space in four years’ time.

Read more in the Dunard Centre 2024/25 Annual Report

Dunard Centre marks start of construction with groundbreaking ceremony

Guests including First Minister John Swinney, singer-songwriter Dougie MacLean and pupils from Broughton Primary School gathered on site for a morning of music, speeches and celebration

Yesterday, ground was officially broken on the Dunard Centre, marking the start of a four-year build with a ceremony that celebrated this historic moment before construction begins later today.

Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney joined representatives of the UK Government, City of Edinburgh Council, David Chipperfield Architects, Balfour Beatty and NatWest Group on site, with guests enjoying a range of musical performances that showcased the breadth and calibre of talent the venue will bring to Edinburgh.

This included singer-songwriter Dougie MacLean delivering an emotive rendition of his iconic ‘Caledonia’ in collaboration with P6 pupils from nearby Broughton Primary School,  pipes from Finlay MacDonald, Director at The National Piping Centre, and a string quartet from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra starting the morning with a short performance. 

Kickstarting a series of speeches from stakeholders and partners, Dunard Centre chief executive Jo Buckley thanked politicians and other guests for attending the ceremony, speaking about her personal focus on ensuring the venue plays a key role in enriching the lives of people across the city.

She said: “Today’s performances offered a glimpse of the breadth and calibre of talent the Dunard Centre will bring to Edinburgh.

“It is hard to build a concert hall — but important things are never easy. And what we are building here is not just a concert hall. It is a commitment to people and to community and to the transformational power of culture, which we believe really does change lives.”

“This venue will truly be a ‘Hall for All’, creating an open, accessible, and welcoming space in the heart of the city. It will be a place where Scotland’s musical legends will inspire the next generation of artists, giving children their first encounter with a concert hall and allowing them to feel the electricity that comes from live performance.

“I want to thank everyone who attended today for being part of this important moment for the project, and for their continued support. Reaching this key milestone has been made possible thanks to a unique partnership between government and private philanthropy, the product of which will be a world-class venue that Scotland can be proud of.”

Speaking at the groundbreaking, First Minister John Swinney said: “It’s a privilege to break ground and mark the start of construction of the Dunard Centre. The ‘Hall for All’ is a prime example of public and private investors coming together to invest in exciting, innovative projects that will help to grow our economy and significantly enhance Scotland’s cultural offering.  

“Jo Buckley was part of the Scottish delegation to attend Tartan Week in New York with me earlier this year and spoke at the iconic Carnegie Hall. Partnerships were fostered and strengthened by this visit and it’s been a pleasure to once again address an audience of Scotland’s leading cultural and arts stakeholders as we prepare to start building this exciting new venue.”

UK Government Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill attended on behalf of the UK Government. She said: “The Dunard Centre will be a tremendous addition to Edinburgh’s cultural landscape and I welcome construction getting underway. The UK Government is a big supporter of the project, investing £10 million as part of our £300 million commitment to the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal. 

“We look forward to continued close working with the ‘Hall for All’ partners so that local communities and visitors from around the world can enjoy such a world class facility as soon as possible. The UK Government is investing more than £2 billion in dozens of important local and regional projects the length and breadth of Scotland over 10 years, bringing much-needed economic and community renewal.”

Designed by David Chipperfield Architects with Reiach and Hall Architects, the Dunard Centre will be the UK’s first Nagata Acoustics hall, bringing together exceptional architecture, extraordinary acoustics and bold, ambitious programming to rival the best in the world in audience experience.

The Dunard Centre will be the first concert hall designed by Sir David Chipperfield. Speaking at the ceremony, the renowned architect said: “We are deeply honoured to have been selected to design this new cultural building in the historic heart of Edinburgh. We look forward to the concert hall becoming a significant contribution to Edinburgh’s cultural life and finding its place in the city’s extraordinary architectural and urban heritage”.

NatWest Chief Executive Paul Thwaite spoke about the bank’s support of the project, saying: “At the Royal Bank of Scotland, we are proud to partner in building a world-class facility here in the heart of Edinburgh. Seeing the Dunard Centre move from vision to reality is a testament to what ambition and collaboration can achieve. This world-class concert hall will be a huge asset to Edinburgh’s cultural life that will attract audiences from across the UK and further afield. We look forward to continuing to support this landmark project.”  

The construction of the new concert hall is being led by Balfour Beatty. Nick Crossfield, Divisional CEO of Balfour Beatty’s UK Construction Services business, said: “Breaking ground at the Dunard Centre is a landmark moment, taking us one step closer to realising Edinburgh’s first purpose-built concert hall in a century.

“We now look forward to working in close partnership with IMPACT Scotland and applying the highest standards of modern construction throughout, to realise this visionary design that will stand as a beacon for music and culture for generations to come.”

A combination of private and public funding has secured this world-class venue for Scotland and the UK. The Dunard Centre is part of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal, through which the Scottish and UK Governments committed £10 million each, alongside £5 million from the City of Edinburgh Council. Last month, First Minister John Swinney made an in-principle pledge of an additional £20 million in funding, which has been matched pound-for-pound by Dr Carol Colburn Grigor. Alongside the public funding, IMPACT Scotland has raised over £100 million to date from private philanthropy, setting a new capital funding record for a cultural project in Scotland.

The Dunard Centre shares its 2023-24 Annual Report

The Dunard Centre, the cultural programme of the Edinburgh and South East City Region Deal, has shared its Annual Report for the 2023-24 financial year.  
 
Detailing a pivotal period for the project, key milestones covered in the report include the completion of enabling works that have prepared the site for construction; forging new cross-sector partnerships, including a new Further Education partner in Edinburgh College; securing a growing network of donors, trusts and corporate partners, with over £30M raised over the past financial year; and analysing insights from the first wave of citizens research.  
 
Jo Buckley, Chief Executive, said: "This project’s ambition, not just for its local community but for Edinburgh’s global reputation, signals a bold commitment to the importance of culture to our lives, our economy, and our society. We are now at a crucial turning point for the project, and we look forward to breaking ground in 2025." 
 The Dunard Centre, supported by Royal Bank of Scotland, will be Edinburgh’s first purpose-built venue of its kind in over 100 years, rivalling the best in the world in acoustic quality and audience experience. Designed by David Chipperfield Architects, it will also be the first Nagata hall in the UK. 
 
As well as providing a new home for the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and a key performance venue each August for the Edinburgh International Festival, the Dunard Centre will be an inclusive cultural hub for all kinds of musical performance. Re-asserting Edinburgh's status as a Cultural Capital, the venue will also be an exciting new public space in the centre of Edinburgh, offering rehearsal and recording space as well as delivering an educational outreach programme that builds new audiences and brings new performers to the city. 

Download the report here.

.

NEW DESIGN FOR DUNARD CENTRE

Images released today of the proposed new design for the Dunard Centre supported by Royal Bank of Scotland, reveal an opportunity to make an inspiring contribution to the city’s cultural rebuild.

DUNDAS HOUSE SETTING - VIEW FROM ST ANDREW SQUARE

One of the boldest ventures in the city’s recent past, Edinburgh’s first purpose-built music and performance venue in over one hundred years will rival the best in the world in acoustic quality and audience experience, bringing together architect Sir David Chipperfield, recognised throughout the world for high quality architecture in sensitive heritage sites and leading acousticians Nagata Acoustics, established international authorities in the field of concert hall design.

As the cultural flagship for the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal, the Dunard Centre will fill a recognised gap in the region’s cultural infrastructure and provide a platform for local, national and international musicians to perform to audiences in the very best environment.

The 1000 capacity hall is designed with the flexibility to welcome the widest possible range of acoustic and amplified music and performance to a mid-sized venue. The simple elegance of the exterior reflects the surrounding neoclassical design of the Edinburgh New Town and opens up an undiscovered area of the city centre, linking the St James Quarter, St Andrew Square and the Register Lanes and contributing to the regeneration of the area.

IMPACT Scotland’s Co-Chairs Fergus Linehan and Gavin Reid commented:

AUDITORIUM - ORCHESTRAL PERFORMANCE

Fergus Linehan: “We are delighted to unveil the stunning design for the Dunard Centre which will be a truly transformational venue in the heart of Edinburgh. 

“The restrictions throughout the pandemic have highlighted the enormous contribution participating in the performing arts, whether as an audience member or a performer, makes to our wellbeing. It is a great honour to be leading a project which will make such a positive and inspiring contribution to the city’s cultural rebuild.”

Gavin Reid: “As well as being a creative hub hosting music and educational experiences of all kinds, the Dunard Centre will reach out beyond its own walls to be an inspirational springboard for outreach work across the city and beyond.

UK Government Minister for Scotland Iain Stewart said:

"The Dunard Centre is an exciting prospect for Edinburgh's cultural landscape. 

"These designs show the great potential for a new, dynamic creative space in the heart of the city.

"The UK Government is investing £10 million in this project as part of it's £1.5 billion commitment to Region Deals across Scotland, helping communities everywhere to build back better from the pandemic."

City of Edinburgh Council Leader Adam McVey said: 

“The Dunard Centre is an exciting and important new cultural venue for our Capital. This is the first purpose-built concert venue in Edinburgh in more than 100 years which will expand Edinburgh’s landscape for enjoying music and the arts.  It is in a prime central and sustainable location, with fantastic public transport connections and will complement the wider transformation of the east end of the city centre alongside the opening of the Edinburgh St James Quarter- ensuring that our City centre remains a vibrant and thriving destination.”

Malcolm Buchanan, chair, Scotland Board, Royal Bank of Scotland, said:

“The Dunard Centre is an exciting proposition that will enrich the city’s education, music and arts communities and one that we are proud to be part of.

“Royal Bank of Scotland has supported Scotland’s arts sectors throughout its 300-year history, three centuries which have cemented Edinburgh and the country’s position as a capital for global culture.

“The Dunard Centre will play a role in continuing that tradition and create further opportunity for another generation of artists and performers.”

Sir David Chipperfield said:

“Tucked behind Dundas House and on axis with George Street, the Dunard Centre occupies a strategic site linking the formal qualities of St. Andrew Square and the New Town with the more intimate atmosphere of lanes around Register House towards the new St. James Quarter. The identity of the building is determined by its circular form, contributing to the silhouette of the city and enclosing a 1,000-seat hall. This flexible world-class facility is designed to adapt to a wide-ranging programme of performances and cultural activities, ensuring it will serve as a meaningful new addition to the life and fabric of Edinburgh.”

The redesigned building will house:

• 1000 capacity auditorium with the capacity for live streaming, digital capture and broadcasting  

• flexible multi-purpose rooms for education, conferencing and hospitality

• foyer with informal opportunity for performance

• café/bar with indoor and outdoor seating

The space has been skilfully re-imagined to create a world-class auditorium of exceptional acoustic quality in the heart of the city, retaining the 1000 capacity, while reducing the size of the proposed building.

The budget for the project remains at £75 million, with two-thirds of this being met by private philanthropy and fundraising.  £35 million is being donated by Dunard Fund, and a fundraising campaign for a further £15 million has already received significant pledges. As part of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal the UK and Scottish Governments are each providing £10 million, and City of Edinburgh Council £5 million. 

A variation to the planning application is being submitted this week. If planning permission is granted, construction will begin in 2022, with an estimated build length of 3 years.

Dunard Centre Planning Application Approved

The City Region Deal’s cultural flagship project to create Edinburgh’s first purpose-built concert hall in over 100 years, got the green light to proceed last month when Councillors voted to grant planning permission. With the project now on its way to becoming a reality, we were delighted to reveal the venue’s name – Dunard Centre supported by Royal Bank of Scotland, in recognition of the huge contribution to this project from Dunard Fund.

introducing secretary of state for scotland david mundell MP, and cllr cammy day, depute leader of the city of edinburgh council to the dunard centre model

I feel passionately that Dunard Centre directly addresses what is needed for the city to flourish in the performing arts, to look to the future, not trying to replicate what other cities already have, but what other cities will come to want. It will be transformational in terms of the productions that can be programmed and in the audiences it can attract and is designed to be a venue for audiences of all ages, all backgrounds and for all kinds of music and performance.

With the creation of a 1,000-seat hall; complemented by a 200-seat studio; a large foyer for all-day informal performance; café/bar and a range of rooms for education, community outreach and conference activities – we aim to create a lively, cultural hub where everyone feels welcome. This is a big challenge, but not impossible for a city as vibrant and forward-looking as Edinburgh. The benefits it will bring to the whole region cannot be overstated - different kinds of music, audiences, performers, education, rehearsal and recording, all under one roof with the very best acoustics and technology and in a location easily accessible by both local and national public transport - this is a one off.

Over the last 100 years, many new performing arts venues and concert halls have been built around the globe, harnessing advancements in technology and in the acoustic excellence they can achieve. We are incredibly lucky to have the Usher Hall, but we are selling ourselves short as a capital city, not to offer a complementary venue of half its size, providing a completely different experience for both audience and performer. Through generous philanthropy, City Region Deal funding and a city centre location thanks to Royal Bank of Scotland, this lack of provision for Edinburgh and the South East of Scotland is something we can now put right. This is an opportunity for everyone to get behind the creation of the very best, most ambitious cultural project seen in Edinburgh for over a 100 years – what our growing region needs in its vision for 2050 and beyond.

Sir Ewan Brown, Chairman IMPACT Scotland.