<\/p>\n
Sir David Chipperfield, the renowned British architect behind Edinburgh\u2019s first purpose-built concert hall in more than a century, has revealed he feared the project might collapse as costs spiralled.<\/p>\n
About this development:<\/p>\n
Edinburgh City<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Leisure<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Impact Scotland (developer), David Chipperfield Architects (architect), Balfour Beatty (contractor)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Work finally began last week on the Dunard Centre, a 1,000-seat venue that will become the new home of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Speaking to The Herald<\/a>, Chipperfield admitted the scheme would likely have stalled without the \u201cdetermination\u201d of American philanthropist Carol Colburn Grigor, whose backing has exceeded \u00a350 million.<\/p>\n Appointed over eight years ago, Chipperfield said the team had been \u201cswimming against the tide\u201d until construction contracts were signed. Since councillors first approved plans in 2019<\/a>, the budget has rocketed from \u00a345 million to \u00a3162m<\/a>. The Scottish Government has tripled its contribution to \u00a330m, while an extra \u00a320m pledged by First Minister John Swinney in October was matched by Grigor, a former concert pianist and one of Scotland\u2019s most significant cultural benefactors.<\/p>\n Chipperfield now expects the hall to be completed by 2029. Designed for versatility, it will host classical, jazz, rock, pop, electronic and spoken-word performances. Yet he acknowledged \u201csignificant\u201d challenges remain, particularly building on the tight site between St Andrew Square\u2019s historic RBS branch and the St James Quarter.<\/p>\n Originally announced in 2016 with a 2021 opening date, the project has endured repeated delays. By 2018, it had secured \u00a325m from the Scottish and UK governments and the City of Edinburgh Council.<\/p>\n Chipperfield, whose portfolio includes cultural landmarks in Greece, Milan, Shanghai and Yorkshire, described the Edinburgh scheme as \u201ca difficult journey.\u201d He admitted inflation and rising construction costs repeatedly threatened its viability: \u201cWithout Carol\u2019s determination it probably wouldn\u2019t have happened. As we tried to make the project cheaper, prices kept going up.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite the hurdles, he remains confident: \u201cThe logistics have been well rehearsed. It won\u2019t be easy, but I believe it will be finished by 2029.\u201d<\/p>\n The cost has surged from \u00a3115m to \u00a3162m in just two years. Chipperfield defended the expense, calling the hall \u201ca wooden box of international quality\u201d with world-class acoustics: \u201cConcert halls are expensive, but in the bigger scheme of things this is not excessive. Public projects are difficult, but they are also the most important.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Presentation9.gif\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1765367610_321_hire-fleet-mpu-splash-nov.25-ad-3-live.gif\")
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Scottish-Construction-Now-Small.gif\")
<\/a><\/p>\n