King's Theatre Edinburgh redevelopment campaign launches with a first look at the designs

06.11.2018

Capital Theatres, the charitable trust which runs the Festival and King’s Theatres and The Studio, is delighted to officially launch the King’s Theatre Edinburgh Redevelopment Campaign with the announcement of the architect for the project, Bennetts Associates and the unveiling of their initial designs for the building’s transformation.

The unveiled designs for the redeveloped King’s Theatre show a design that retains the majesty of the original building but reimagined for the 21st century. The images, a cross-section of the re-imagined building and a front side view showing the building’s depth down Tarvit Street, capture a design that makes optimum use of the space available in the original 1906 building and the scope to create additional front of house space including a stunning roof terrace with views across the city skyline.

The transformational project will preserve and revitalise the King’s Theatre Edinburgh, one of Scotland’s oldest and most loved theatres, making it a vibrant, dynamic and accessible cultural destination for generations to come.

Bennetts Associates is responsible for several renowned cultural projects including Storyhouse in Chester, a much-loved cultural centre which combines a theatre, cinema and library, and the extension to Shaftesbury Theatre, both of which received RIBA National Awards this year.

Joining Bennetts Associates as the appointed architect on the project will be Theatreplan, global theatre design and technical theatre consultancy specialists. Together Bennetts and Theatreplan are also working on the transformation of Citizens Theatre in Glasgow.

James Nelmes, Associate Director at Bennetts Associates said: “The King’s Theatre has a unique place in the hearts and minds of many Edinburgh residents and is a theatre of national architectural importance. We are delighted to be working with Capital Theatres and Theatreplan to bring it to the next stage. The plans to modernise the existing facilities and transform the experiences of visitors, performers and staff will help the theatre to remain a vital part of Edinburgh’s cultural provision for years to come.“

Read the full press release here.