Kings Theatre
Culture
Restoring one of Scotland’s most loved theatres for a new century of audiences.
Project Details
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Edinburgh
Location
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Capital Theatres
Client
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9,184m2
Area
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£27.1m
Value
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2026
Completion
Carbon Data
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Upfront Carbon (A1-A5)
562 kgCO₂e/m²
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Sequestered Carbon (A1-A3)
0 kgCO₂e/m²
Built in 1906, the King’s Theatre is a cornerstone of Edinburgh’s cultural life. A venue of the Edinburgh International Festival since 1947 and home to Scotland’s largest panto. Bennetts Associates’ revitalisation safeguards its Edwardian character while transforming it into a more accessible, welcoming and technically advanced venue.
The design introduces new foyers, bars and learning spaces, alongside improved circulation and accessibility throughout. A café at street level activates the façade, extending the theatre’s presence into the public realm. Behind the scenes, a new flytower and upgraded stage systems enable a wider range of contemporary productions.
Original plasterwork, stained glass and carved stone details are preserved and restored, while modern interventions are expressed with clarity to distinguish old from new. Backstage facilities and technical infrastructure are completely renewed, ensuring the building can support complex touring shows.
The reimagined King’s Theatre balances heritage and innovation — a civic renewal project that ensures one of Edinburgh’s great performance spaces continues to inspire audiences for generations to come.
Credits
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Capital Theatres
Client
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Will Rudd
Structural Engineer
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Max Fodham
Services Engineer
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Thomas and Adamson
Project Manager
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Thomas and Adamson
Cost Consultant
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Arup
Fire Engineer
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Sandy Brown
Acoustic Consultant
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Theatreplan
Theatre Consultant
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Robertson Construction
Contractor