Edinburgh concert hall opening pushed back four years

A 1,000-seat concert venue in Edinburgh, which had been due to open this year, has been delayed until 2029 after a change in building contractor due to costs.

Contractor Sir Robert McAlpine completed pre-construction works at the Dunard Centre site last year, but has now left the project.

Jo Buckley, chief executive of the charity backing the project, the International Music and Performing Arts Charitable Trust Scotland (Impact), cited McAlpine’s strategic withdrawal from Scotland and a shift in its UK priorities as a key factor.

“As a charity, our procurement goals have always been to ensure best value for money and maximum cost certainty. Unfortunately, we could no longer achieve those requirements with McAlpine.

“That’s led to a pause on site in recent months. That followed the company’s widely publicised withdrawal from Scotland and a real shift in their strategic priorities at a UK level.”

Tender negotiations are underway with construction firm Balfour Beatty to carry out the work, Buckley said.

“We are still targeting the end of 2028 for the main construction to be completed, with an opening in early 2029,” she said.

“We are doing everything we can to minimise further delays, particularly given the impact of inflation on overall costs.”

Set to become home to the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and host Edinburgh International Festival performances, the venue’s costs have risen from an initial estimate of £45m to £75m in 2021 and £114m by the end of 2023. Updated cost projections are expected this summer.

Named after the Dunard Fund, a key private financial backer, in the past year the project has raised an additional £30m in private philanthropy, while The Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal Joint Committee has contributed £25m in public funding.