Wedoany.com Report-Oct. 24, Impact Scotland, the charitable trust leading the Dunard Centre project, has appointed Balfour Beatty to construct a 1,000-seat concert hall in Edinburgh. The venue, located behind St Andrew Square, will feature a five-storey steel frame with a pre-cast concrete façade. The interior will include custom oak panelling to optimize acoustics, marking it as the UK’s first concert venue with acoustics designed by Japan’s Nagata Associates.
The Dunard Centre is expected to open in 2029.
Construction is set to begin in the coming weeks, with completion anticipated in 2029. At its peak, the project will employ around 200 workers. The venue will include a café, bar, and multifunctional spaces for various events, alongside a double basement with in-situ concrete for facilities like changing rooms and storage.
Balfour Beatty’s selection follows 18 months of early collaboration with Impact Scotland and its design team, including David Chipperfield Architects and Reiach & Hall Architects. This phase focused on developing construction methods, sequencing, and logistics for the challenging city centre site. Balfour Beatty will use 4D planning to enhance efficiency and minimize disruption during construction.
Nick Rowan, managing director of Balfour Beatty’s regional business in Scotland, stated: “We are proud to be entrusted with delivering what will become a nationally significant cultural venue in the heart of Edinburgh and have worked meticulously to plan every stage of this complex build, from construction logistics in a tightly constrained site, to the precision needed to achieve world-class acoustic performance. Our focus now is on safe, efficient and high-quality delivery, working closely with our local supply chain while creating meaningful jobs, apprenticeships and skills opportunities throughout the programme.”
The Dunard Centre is supported by the Edinburgh & South East Scotland City Region Deal, with £10 million each from the Scottish and UK governments and £5 million from the City of Edinburgh Council. Impact Scotland has also raised over £100 million through private philanthropy, setting a record for cultural project funding in Scotland.
Ronnie Bowie, chair of Impact Scotland, said: “Ambitious projects like this really do only come about once in a century, and they are driven forwards by the strength of their partnerships. Delivering a major infrastructure project of this kind, amidst the global and economic challenges we have seen in recent years, has been no small feat and is a testament to the strength and perseverance of the delivery team. Signing this contract with Balfour Beatty is another celebratory step towards making our vision a reality, and we look forward to working alongside our many other stakeholders to create this ‘Hall for All’ — a space which really will offer something for everyone, whether it’s experiencing a phenomenal live show, a workshop, a class, or simply gathering over a coffee.”
The project is expected to boost Edinburgh’s cultural landscape, create jobs, and foster community engagement through its diverse offerings.
