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Stage is set for £20m King’s Theatre refurbishment

November 6 2018

Stage is set for £20m King’s Theatre refurbishment

Edinburgh’s King’s Theatre is to close its doors for a two-year hiatus to allow a £20m redevelopment following the appointment of Bennetts Associates to lead the design team.

The A-listed Edwardian theatre will benefit from upgraded backstage, studio and hospitality areas including a new street level café and rooftop hospitality space under ambitious plans brought forward by Capital Theatres.

Initial designs call for an overhaul of both the interior and exterior of the historic venue with the addition of a learning studio and accessible lifts and ramps.

James Nelmes, associate director at Bennetts Associates commented: “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.”

Theatreplan will assist with the technical design alongside project managers Thomas & Adamson, service engineers Max Fordham; structural engineer Will Rudd Davidson and quantity surveyor Gleeds.

Together they will prepare finalised design proposals which will be presented in 2020, with redevelopment following by September 2021 in time for a Summer 2023 unveil.

A long section highlights the scale of the planned intervention
A long section highlights the scale of the planned intervention
A view of the King's Theatre as it exists currently
A view of the King's Theatre as it exists currently

9 Comments

hmm
#1 Posted by hmm on 6 Nov 2018 at 14:47 PM
Looks good, other than that incredibly clumsy porte-cochère/portico/bus-stop (?) thing outside the main entrance. Couldn't we had something a little more elegant and in-keeping? Or just nothing at all - doesn't seem all that necessary, Glasgow weather notwithstanding.

On a side note, I like the idea of pedestrianising Elmbank street - is this a real proposal or just a planning visual conceit?
John
#2 Posted by John on 6 Nov 2018 at 15:27 PM
Dear HMM. its the Edinburgh Kings thats shutting down not the Glasgow one
Graeme McCormick
#3 Posted by Graeme McCormick on 6 Nov 2018 at 15:33 PM
hmm,

I think you are confused. It's Edinburgh's King's Theatre
FHM
#4 Posted by FHM on 6 Nov 2018 at 15:48 PM
#1

"Edinburgh’s King’s Theatre...."
StyleCouncil
#5 Posted by StyleCouncil on 6 Nov 2018 at 17:13 PM
The portico looks ridiculous...too heavy to be sleek and to light to be give any gravitas or sense of purpose.
Glass and zinc boxes on roof...standard.
Such a disappointing looking proposal.
Fat Bloke on Tour
#6 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 6 Nov 2018 at 17:27 PM
Double take -- investment in Glesga -- surely not?
Then the reality hit and it was business as usual.
Billy
#7 Posted by Billy on 7 Nov 2018 at 10:27 AM
The Kings in Glasgow badly needs refurbished. Toilets and bar areas in particular. Maybe glass extension at the front may help. The Theatre Royal in Glasgow is my favourite at the moment and I look forward to the new Citizen theatre.
Robin Bs Discount Store
#8 Posted by Robin Bs Discount Store on 7 Nov 2018 at 10:31 AM
#7 - Billy. I wouldnt bank on visiting the new Citz Theatre, have you seen who the builder is?
Marto
#9 Posted by Marto on 8 Nov 2018 at 17:24 PM
Somewhat of a riddy for poster #1

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