Piling works finish on Dunard Centre site
June 26, 2026
Piling works are concluded and excavation work has begun on the building’s basement
Piling works are now concluded and excavation work has begun on the building’s basement
26 June 2026
This month, we’re celebrating a major construction milestone as the structural base that will support our world-class venue is now complete.
244 piles have been installed in the ground on our site at St Andrew Square, revealing the full footprint of the hall for the first time. The next phase will see our construction partner, Balfour Beatty, begin excavation works to create the building’s 10-metre-deep basement level. This will involve the removal of around 36,000m³ of material – the equivalent to around 480 double decker buses, or 2,750 grand pianos.
In another significant milestone, one of the two tower cranes required for the project has now been installed, creating a striking visual marker of the on-site progress. Works are progressing on time and to budget, with practical completion of the world-class venue expected in 2029.
Jo Buckley, Chief Executive of the Dunard Centre, said:
“Anyone who has passed by our site over recent months will have noticed the daily arrival and departure of trucks and machinery, and a regular hum of activity as the groundworks have progressed. To see such a rapid transformation of this long-empty site has been incredibly exciting to watch, and I am grateful to Balfour Beatty’s team for their swift and efficient progress during this first chapter. This is not just a construction project, but a long-term commitment to people and communities, and it has been inspiring to see so many opportunities for education and skills development underway already. We look forward to sharing more of these initiatives as the project unfolds.”
The progress on site runs parallel to a series of initiatives and activities delivered by Balfour Beatty designed to maximise opportunities for education, skills development, community engagement, and local economic growth. So far, this has included collaborating with Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) and local schools to deliver STEM engagement and career support days for 400 young people, conducting site visits with University of Edinburgh and Napier University engineering students, and providing volunteers to support the Cuthill Community Garden, supporting the early creation of a pollinator-friendly, community-led green space. The firm also partnered with Equate Scotland on events to address gender inequality within STEM by supporting women at all stages of their career journey into, and within, the construction sector.
Martin McGough, Project Director at Balfour Beatty said:
“Reaching this milestone is a testament to the expertise and determination of our teams, who have successfully navigated a highly constrained and complex environment in the heart of Edinburgh to keep delivery on track. As we move into the next phase, we look forward to continuing to apply that capability to deliver the next stage of this landmark project.”
These activities support the significant social and economic impact that the Dunard Centre will have, both during its capital phase and as an operational venue.
Piling works are concluded and excavation work has begun on the building’s basement
The prestigious partnership is one of a series announced today by the world-renowned venue.
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