Work Set to Begin on New Concert Hall at St Andrew Square

Edinburgh is finally set to gain its first purpose-built concert hall in over a century, with construction work due to begin behind the RBS building at St Andrew Square.

The long-planned venue will bring a modern, 1,000-seat performance space to the very heart of the city, after years of delays, redesigns and funding hurdles.

A Major Cultural Boost for the City Centre

The new hall (known as the Dunard Centre) has been designed to fill a long-recognised gap in Edinburgh’s cultural landscape. While the city is world-famous for its festivals, it has lacked a dedicated mid-sized concert venue with modern acoustics and year-round programming.

When completed, the hall is expected to host:

• classical and orchestral concerts
• touring artists and contemporary music
• community and youth performances
• festival events outwith peak season
• educational and outreach programmes

Its central location at St Andrew Square will also make it one of the most accessible arts venues in Scotland, with immediate links to trams, buses and Waverley Station.

Construction to Start After Years of Delays

The project has taken a long and complicated route to reach this point. Changes in design, rising costs and legal challenges slowed progress, but all major approvals are now in place, and contractors have been appointed.

Preparatory work will begin around the square in the coming weeks, including:

• clearing and securing the site
• laying foundations
• installing new utilities and access routes
• forming the main structure of the auditorium

Once the hall’s frame is complete, work will move to the interior fit-out, including specialist acoustic treatment, seating, rehearsal rooms and backstage facilities.

“A Venue for the Next 100 Years”

City leaders and arts groups have welcomed the move, describing the Dunard Centre as a once-in-a-generation investment in the capital’s cultural future.

They say the venue will:

• support local musicians and arts organisations
• attract world-class performers
• boost the evening economy around St Andrew Square
• provide new opportunities for young people
• strengthen Edinburgh’s position as an international cultural city

The hall is being developed in partnership with the Royal Bank of Scotland, arts funders and a number of cultural organisations who have campaigned for a purpose-built venue in the city centre.

What Happens Next?

With groundworks beginning shortly, more detailed timelines are expected to be announced once construction milestones are reached. The project is widely seen as a cultural landmark for Edinburgh, not just a new building, but a long-term investment in the city’s creative life.

An opening timeline is expected to be confirmed once construction milestones are reached.