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Citizens Theatre renovation plans advance

May 13 2013

Citizens Theatre renovation plans advance
Work to renovate Glasgow’s Citizens Theatre, the second oldest theatre in the UK, has advanced with the appointment of Turner & Townsend as cost managers.

The £6.5m project is being overseen by Bennetts Associates and will be the first major redevelopment of the historic venue since its ornate 1876 frontage was bulldozed in the 1970s.

Despite this the theatre still retains the most complete working Victorian stage machinery in the UK, all of which will be safeguarded during the renovations.

These entail increasing the theatre’s size by 20 per cent through the addition of a substantial new extension and new build along with an open ‘court’ area for audiences to congregate.

New kitchens, offices, three rehearsal rooms, workshops and a new entrance will also be built.

Turner & Townsend director, Bruce Frater, said: “This is large-scale project and one which will require a delicate balance to ensure the refurbishments undertaken are not only sympathetic to the design of the Grade B listed building but also deliver the best return on investment.”

Preparatory renovation work is scheduled to commence this summer with an upgrade to seating in the auditorium but a funding shortfall means major works aren’t expected prior to 2016/17.

3 Comments

wonky
#1 Posted by wonky on 13 May 2013 at 14:09 PM
Were they doing a buy one get one free with every cheap made brick in the 80s-early 90s? Its a truly horrible aesthetic- particularly the bespoke mustard variation on a theme by Wimpey.
Egbert
#2 Posted by Egbert on 13 May 2013 at 18:18 PM
Agree with Wonky - anything will be an improvement on the existing Thames-Valley-business-park-1992 aesthetic. Look forward to seeing Bennetts' proposals...
Brian
#3 Posted by Brian on 21 May 2013 at 09:26 AM
I remember the old building it was so grand and beautiful.

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