World Class Facilities for Royal Welsh College
The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama has begun its
redevelopment: South Wales construction company Willmott Dixon has
started work on the multimillion pound project to build a
first-class suite of training performance facilities for musicians,
actors, theatre designers and stage managers.
The £22.5m landmark project, on Cardiff's North Road, will
include a 450 seat concert hall, a 160 seat courtyard theatre, four
acting and movement studios and exhibition arcade to further raise
the already high quality and profile of the college’s training
provision internationally.
The new facilities will link to the existing buildings to create
a new landmark entrance to Cardiff from the North. The Theatre and
Concert Hall will be accessed from a new public foyer opening out
to views of Bute Park and a park-side terrace. The project is set
for completion in early 2011.
Neal Stephens, managing director of Willmott Dixon, said: “This
is a very high profile and prestigious project: the new buildings
will further enhance the college’s reputation as a fantastic
destination for students, staff and visitors to enjoy. Construction
has begun on site and we will be working with the college to ensure
minimum disruption and inconvenience for all involved.”
College Principal, Hilary Boulding comments, “This new
development will allow the College to greatly expand on its range
of performances and community activities, as well as our
interaction with creative industries both at home and
internationally. We hope these will act as a magnet to attract the
very best students and artists.”
The new landmark civic building will look out to the nearby
Cathays Park and opens up new vistas to Bute Park, together with
the creation of new public spaces within the development.
Willmott Dixon has great affinity with this part of Cardiff as
it was responsible for the construction of City Hall, the Law
Courts, Cardiff University and many of the civic buildings within
Cathays Park including the War Memorial.
Neal Stephens said: “The new development will be built to the
highest environmental standards. Working to an
environmentally-friendly agenda is key to Willmott Dixon. We have a
range of environmental experience and expertise in constructing
sustainable features and implementing measures using natural
resources. “
Live Webcam
Below is a live view of the site of our new facilities. The
image will update itself every 10 seconds.