Construction of Edinburgh’s first new concert hall in more than a century has reached a major milestone, with piling works now complete at the Dunard Centre site in St Andrew Square.
A total of 244 piles have been installed to create the structural foundations for the landmark venue, revealing the full footprint of the 1,000-seat concert hall for the first time.
The project will now move into its next phase, with construction partner Balfour Beatty beginning excavation works to create the building’s 10-metre-deep basement. Around 36,000 cubic metres of material will be removed during the process, equivalent to approximately 480 double-decker buses or 2,750 grand pianos.
In another significant step forward, one of the project’s two tower cranes has also been installed, providing a visible sign of progress in the heart of Edinburgh’s city centre.
Construction remains on schedule and within budget, with the world-class venue expected to reach practical completion 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.”
Alongside construction, Balfour Beatty has been delivering a range of community and skills initiatives aimed at creating long-term social value.
Working with Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) and local schools, the company has delivered STEM engagement and careers events for around 400 young people. Engineering students from the University of Edinburgh and Edinburgh Napier University have also visited the site, while volunteers have supported the development of the Cuthill Community Garden to help create a pollinator-friendly green space.
The contractor has also partnered with Equate Scotland to promote greater gender equality across science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), supporting women at different stages of their careers in the construction industry.
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.”
Designed by David Chipperfield Architects in collaboration with Reiach and Hall Architects, the Dunard Centre will become the UK’s first concert hall designed by renowned acoustic specialists Nagata Acoustics.
The venue will host a broad programme of performances spanning classical, pop, rock, jazz and folk music, while serving as the permanent home of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and a new performance venue for the Edinburgh International Festival.
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A report published in 2025 estimated the Dunard Centre will generate more than £250 million in Gross Value Added (GVA) during construction and its first 20 years of operation. It is also expected to support 289 full-time equivalent jobs, attract around 200,000 visitors annually and contribute £8.6 million to the local economy each year.
The development has been designed as a “Hall for All”, incorporating a café, bars, publicly accessible spaces and a year-round programme of learning and community engagement. Around 17,000 people are expected to benefit from the venue’s participation programme each year, including learning opportunities for 10,000 children, initiatives supporting creative ageing, improved accessibility for disabled audiences and expanded routes into careers within the cultural sector.
Supported by Royal Bank of Scotland, the Dunard Centre is being built behind the bank’s headquarters at 36 St Andrew Square and will create new pedestrian links connecting St Andrew Square, Register Place and the St James Quarter as part of a wider transformation of the city centre.
