Scotland's national orchestra has finally unveiled the plans for its new £14 million purpose-built headquarters in the centre of Glasgow.
The dramatic new addition to the city centre, set between Buchanan Galleries and the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, will feature a new rehearsal space, a 600-seater auditorium, recording and broadcast facilities, office space as well as an education area for the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO).
The move has been described by Michael Elliott, the chief executive of the orchestra, as "one of the most significant developments in the history of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra".
The RSNO needs to raise £2m towards the cost of the development – which has already secured £7m from the Scottish Government and £5m from Glasgow City Council – plus another £1m to equip the new building.
The new facility will be connected to the east of the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, on Killermont Street, facing the city's Buchanan Street Bus Station.
The design of the building has been managed by Glasgow City Council's lead architect Kerr Robertson and his team.
Subject to planning permisson, building work on the project is expected to begin in the autumn, with a completion date in the summer of 2014.
The orchestra is currently based in the Henry Wood Hall in the west of the city, a building which is cramped and delapidated and unable to engage with the public on a greater scale, as the orchestra hopes it will be able to do in the new facility.
A statement from the orchestra said the "RSNO will have the potential to engage with a much greater number of people, through the ability to present high-quality, in-house education and community programmes". It added: "With the fit-out of the latest internet-based digital technology, the organisation's musicians and singers will be able to connect with schools, music and community groups throughout Scotland and beyond."
Mr Elliott added: "By embarking on this venture, together with the outstanding support of Glasgow City Council, the Scottish Government and the RSNO's loyal friends and supporters, we will be able to deliver a rehearsal space, education facility and recital venue which will be the envy of many in the UK and beyond.
"Furthermore, the new home will enable Scotland's national orchestra to propel its performance and to engage and communicate with the citizens and communities of Scotland more effectively than ever."
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "This project is part of the major regeneration work going on in Glasgow as a result of hosting the Commonwealth Games, which will create a lasting legacy for the people of Scotland beyond 2014.
"The new development will enhance facilities for audiences, performers, schools, music and community groups, as well as providing a much-needed new home for the RSNO.
"It will also be a showcase for Scotland's world-renowned culture and creativity during the Commonwealth Games and the second Year of Home- coming, and contribute to the continuing vibrancy of Glasgow's cultural life for years to come."
Gordon Matheson, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "We're delighted to be investing in one of Scotland's premier performance spaces, which will create a centre of musical excellence for both the city and nation.
"These ambitious plans will help to realise new ambitions for the RSNO and enhance the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall as a world-class performance space. The physical refurbishment will also offer Glasgow Music greater flexibility in attracting both new and existing talent to the performance space."
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