Plans have been unveiled for a radical refurbishment of the Queen Elizabeth Hall, the Purcell Room and the Haywood Gallery at Southbank Centre.
The project will cost £100m and will be completed in 2016 at the earliest.
The outside of the structure will be transformed with a new glazed atrium linking the three structures and a ‘floating’ performance space on top of the central foyer.
This space, a ‘glass pavilion’, will be able to accommodate an orchestra of 150 and a choir of 250 as well as a small audience.
The plans, drawn up by architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, also include refurbishments of both the Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Purcell Room to improve back of house and technical facilities and disabled access.
There will also be new spaces for educational projects, a new venue for gigs, cabaret and spoken word events, and a new families and children space.
‘We have a vision for the while site to capture the unique inspiration of the Festival of Britain,’ says Jude Kelly, artistic director of the Southbank Centre. ‘We’re thrilled with the plans we’re unveiling, which reflect our aspiration to give millions of people a new relationship with this extraordinary historic site and provide them with further opportunities to get involved in the arts and culture.’
The plans for the redevelopment can be seen in an exhibition in the Royal Festival Hall and on the Southbank Centre’s website. The proposals will be submitted to Lambeth Council in late Spring.