Dundee set for new arts centre
Dundee Highs School given green light to develop former post office building
The High School of Dundee has been given the green light to press ahead with the next stage of its plans to create a new, ÂŁ16m arts centre.
The School has now received planning permission from Dundee City Council for its proposals to transform the city’s former Head Post Office on Meadowside into a centre of excellence for performing and visual arts.
The project will see the iconic building, which dates from 1898 and was rescued by the School in 2013 after lying unused for a number of years, developed to provide first-class learning and teaching facilities for Art, Drama, Music and Culinary Arts, as well as new dining and catering spaces and further administrative and social spaces for pupils and staff.
Plans include a 300+ seat auditorium, a range of drama and music technical and performance spaces, a recording studio, and a roof terrace which also offers the potential to be used as an outdoor classroom.
The Rector of the High School of Dundee, Dr John Halliday, is delighted the plans have been approved.
He said: “The transformative impact of the creative arts on lives is well documented and this building will enable us to realise the dream of widening and deepening access to music, drama and art & design. It is at the heart of the city and will be offered for community use. We have designed our plans to complement the city’s aspirations for V&A Dundee and the waterfront redevelopment, and to enable the School to make an exciting contribution to Dundee’s burgeoning reputation as a city of culture, initiative and design. I’m especially pleased that the project also meshes very nicely with creative celebrations like Ignite Dundee and the Dundee Design Festival.”
Work to strip out and restore the building to its original structure has already been completed as the project prepares to enter a final detailed design phase. This will be followed by pre-construction reports and then ultimately a tendering process for the construction work itself.
Dr Halliday said: “To raise money for the project the School has launched a five year fundraising drive which represents the most ambitious capital campaign ever embarked upon by a UK independent school. The whole School community is already very excited by the project. Pupils and staff have been heavily involved in discussions on the designs and had the chance to have a look around the building and get an idea of the inspiring future which lies ahead for it during a special event back in August which marked the launch of the campaign.”
Billy Gartley, Head of Cultural Services, Leisure and Culture Dundee, said: “The proposed development of the former Head Post Office by the High School of Dundee is an excellent opportunity to develop a new space which will enhance the city's cultural offering. This is another great example of the cultural ambition of Dundee.”
Nick Parr, Chief Executive of Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre, said, “Having seen inside this historic building recently, I can see the potential for both the High School of Dundee and the rest of the City. The Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre are always looking for interesting new spaces to work in and the former Head Post Office building will be an exciting addition to the City’s cultural portfolio.”