Usher Hall Refurbishment - 26 October 2006

In order to deliver the refurbished Usher Hall on time, in December 2008, it has been decided by Council to be carry out in an 86-week construction period from April 2007. Near full capacity of the Usher Hall would be maintained in the first five months, allowing the 2007 Edinburgh International Festival to go ahead as normal. The Hall would then close and re-open for Festival 2008. Work will resume after the 2008 Festival and the Hall would be open for business while the final work packages are completed to the new wing. The project would be completed by December 2008.

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The Usher Hall has the capacity to reach far more people. Access and backstage facilities require upgrading and education programmes are limited. Creation of space is key to our aspirations of really opening the building up and creating a welcoming and exciting place to visit, learn and perform.

The completion of our Phase II development will ensure that the Usher Hall becomes an international centre of musical excellence, attracting the widest possible audiences and the best artists. The Usher Hall aims to be a real powerhouse of creativity, embracing, lifelong learning and musical diversity.

The Hall will also become a visitor attraction, a place for increased corporate use and of course a working home for the team of dedicated professionals, and artists, whose accommodation within the building was never properly defined.

We are undergoing a major transformation as Phase II of our development following the successful Phase I renovation of the auditorium and restoration of the organ.

Work will begin in Autumn 2005 to create a world-class concert hall for the 21st century.

The plans : Access Education Development

• To construct a contemporary new wing, embracing the existing architecture that will become the life force of the building, housing open and friendly public areas together with space for the administration team and new hospitality areas
  
  
• To create proper physical access to the Hall with the installation of lifts and stairs that connect each level- really opening up all areas of the building
  
  
• To deliver exemplary education programmes, which will be helped by the creation of a new workshop with equipment, based in the heart of the building
  
  
• To continue to develop our programme to attract the widest possible audiences

Be Part of it!

Make a donation towards our appeal and become part of the fabric of the new Usher Hall and the most exciting project to happen Scotland's capital.

We welcome donations of any amount. All donations are acknowledged in a Book of Donors, to be displayed in the Grand Circle Foyer.

Donations of £400 or more:

The Pillar Scheme - Your name engraved on a brass plaque mounted between marble feature pillars

Donations of £1000 or more:

Your name hand painted in gold calligraphy within a plaster panel

Contact

For details about supporting the campaign at a higher level, or naming opportunities, please contact:

Karl Chapman
General Manager

Tel: 0131 228 8589
Email: karl.chapman@usherhall.co.uk