Architects from all over the world are expected to pitch for the job of rebuilding the iconic Ross Bandstand, the much-loved focal point of West Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh, when the redesign contest is launched, its guardians said.
A charity is also to be set up to steer through the rebuilding of the historic venue with the support of the hotelier benefactor Norman Springford under a shared multi-million pound vision which would include new landscaping, visitor facilities and a refurbished Ross Fountain.
At a meeting of the Edinburgh City Council next week, members will discuss a report outlining the planned appointment of a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) to front the proposed redevelopment, earlier priced at around £25 million.
Under current plans, the charitable trust will launch a design competition for the site which, if approved by the council and permitted by the Scottish Parliament, could see work under way by 2020.
In April, it was announced the council held ambitions to renew the gardens for the year-round benefit of communities and visitors through fundraising and in consultation with heritage bodies, festival producers and residents.
Council Leader Andrew Burns, who is also convener of the policy and strategy committee, said: "While the Ross Bandstand remains a key venue for the city’s famous Festival Fireworks and Hogmanay Concert in the Gardens, it is more than 80 years old and is nearing the end of its useful life.
"By working in partnership with a SCIO, we hope to be able to work towards the creation of a new facility as part of major renewal of the Gardens.
"The area is Common Good land and we are well aware of the implications of building in public parks, so while there is still much work to be done, we are making a commitment to supporting and progressing plans.”
City hotelier and benefactor for the project Norman Springford said: "A charitable trust has been set up and we are all looking forward to moving this project forward which will hopefully deliver immediate improvements in West Princes Street Gardens."
The Ross Bandstand is an outdoor venue with a capacity of 2,400 in West Princes Street Gardens. The current venue was developed in 1935 but the original facility was built in 1877, gifted to the City by William Henry Ross. Mr Ross was Chairman of the Distillers Company Ltd.
The venue remains the setting for the Edinburgh International Festival Fireworks Concert and the Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Concert in the Gardens and has, over the decades, played host to high profile rock and pop acts, including the Simple Minds, the Pet Shop Boys, Blondie and Madness. Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Concert in the Gardens 2015/16 was headlined by Biffy Clyro.
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