Dunard Centre

dunard centre

One simple idea

The Dunard Centre project is underpinned by one simple, shared philosophy: music should play a central role in our region’s future. That’s why it’s so important we’re building our concert hall on a prime plot in Edinburgh’s city centre, rising directly behind Royal Bank of Scotland’s beautiful branch at 36 St Andrew Square.

This remarkable sliver of land has been many things over the past 250 years: a private back garden, company lawns, wartime allotments, and, finally, from 1965, a four storey Computer Centre and some sixty car park spaces.

The architectural concept for a music performance venue in this location was initially proposed to the Scottish Chamber Orchestra by Edinburgh architect Simon Laird in 2011; from that starting point the programme grew, leading to the formation of IMPACT Scotland, the charity established to plan, build and run the Dunard Centre

In January 2023 Royal Bank of Scotland transferred the lease for the ground to IMPACT, and clearance preparations began on February 6 2023. Operations are expected to complete later in the year and work will begin on the new concert hall soon after.

This ambitious scheme has been made possible by substantial philanthropic donations, including the visionary support of Dunard Fund, a charitable trust based in Edinburgh. Over the past 30 years, it has given grants totalling many millions of pounds to support charities in the arts and heritage sectors. Chaired by Carol Colburn Grigor, the trust particularly supports projects which facilitate the training and performance of classical music at the highest standard. The trust also funds the promotion of education and exhibition of the visual arts, including architecture.

The Centre is also underpinned by support from the Scottish and UK governments and the City of Edinburgh Council, as part of the City Region Deal. Each Government is investing £10 million, with an additional £5 million from City of Edinburgh Council.   

The remainder of the investment for this ambitious concert hall venue will come from the fundraising campaign led by IMPACT Scotland, the charity convened to transform this screened-off plot into a space for music lovers. If you would like to learn more about how you can get involved in our work, please do sign up for updates here.

david chipperfield
Dunard Centre
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