Render of the 1,000-seat auditorium in Dunard Centre

Balfour Beatty has announced that it has been awarded a £162 million contract by IMPACT Scotland to deliver the Dunard Centre, Edinburgh’s first purpose-built concert hall in over a century.

The contract will see the company construct the new, world-class concert hall in the heart of the capital, containing a 1,000-seat auditorium, a café, bar and multifunctional spaces for a variety of events alongside a complex in-situ concrete double basement which will house performer changing and storage areas as well as back of house facilities.

As part of the works, Balfour Beatty will construct a five-storey steel frame with an envelope façade of pre-cast concrete panels. The high-quality internal finishes will include bespoke solid oak panelling to the hall to enhance the acoustic experience.

The appointment follows an extensive eighteen-month period of Early Contractor Involvement, during which Balfour Beatty worked closely with IMPACT Scotland and its design and engineering partners to develop the construction methodology, sequencing, logistics and buildability for the tightly constrained city centre site behind St Andrew Square.

During construction, the company will create at least five new apprenticeship positions, support ongoing apprenticeships and skills development opportunities using the Modern Apprenticeship SVQ route, supported by an extensive supply chain engagement programme focused on Scottish SMEs. The company will also use 4D planning to sequence works, maximise efficiency and reduce disruption in the busy city centre location.

Once open, the Dunard Centre will provide a permanent home for the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and become a new venue for the Edinburgh International Festival, increasing access to the arts and attracting an estimated 200,000 visitors annually.

Nick Rowan, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s regional business in Scotland, said: “We are proud to be entrusted with delivering what will become a nationally significant cultural venue in the heart of Edinburgh and have worked meticulously to plan every stage of this complex build, from construction logistics in a tightly constrained site, to the precision needed to achieve world-class acoustic performance.

“Our focus now is on safe, efficient and high-quality delivery, working closely with our local supply chain while creating meaningful jobs, apprenticeships and skills opportunities throughout the programme.”

Main construction will commence in the coming weeks with completion expected in 2029 and at peak, the project will employ a workforce of c.200.