Citizens Theatre

Culture

A Glasgow landmark reimagined — preserving its Victorian heritage and artistic soul while opening its doors to the city.

Project Details

Glasgow

Location
Citizens Theatre

Client
7700 m2

Area
Confidential

Value
2025

Completion

Carbon Data

Upfront Carbon (A1-A5)

641 kgCO₂e/m²
Sequestered Carbon (A1-A3)

0 kgCO₂e/m²

The transformation of the Citizens Theatre renews one of Scotland’s most treasured cultural institutions. The project retains the original 1878 auditorium —complete with its unique Victorian stage machinery — while introducing new foyers, studios, workshops and circulation.

A dramatic new frontage replaces the former 1980s façade. The theatre’s iconic stone gable forms the backdrop to new, light-filled foyer spaces. A sequence of publicly accessible rooms link front and back of house spaces, offering glimpses of the theatre’s working life.

Actors’ facilities, rehearsal spaces and workshops have been reorganised to support a diverse artistic programme, while a new 150-seat Studio Theatre expands opportunities for emerging voices. Throughout, original sandstone walls and traces of earlier construction are left visible, celebrating the building’s layered history.

The new façade reinstates six stone figures to Gorbals Street — Shakespeare, Burns and the Greek Muses — returned to their rightful place after more than half a century. Together they signal a theatre renewed: civic, open and rooted in its community.

“The redevelopment of the Citizens Theatre has been transformative in every way. The design by Bennetts Associates has delivered a building that allows us to return as a creative powerhouse that is accessible, welcoming and inclusive for all of our community. The
theatre has stood on Gorbals Street in Glasgow for more than 150 years, and thanks to the incredible work put into this project, it will continue to stand proudly in that community for many years to come.”

Dominic Hill

Artistic Director at Citizens Theatre