Eden Court’s directors have confirmed the appointment of Glasgow-based architects Page and Park to lead a £10 million project to redevelop the venue, which will see the construction of a new 250-seat theatre, two new cinemas, improved public spaces and restoration of the historic Bishop’s Palace.

As leaders of the design team, Page & Park bring to the project an impressive background of experience in the conservation of significant 19th century buildings, combined with creating striking designs for new buildings.  Recent projects include the prestigious Centre for Contemporary Arts in Glasgow, completed in 2001.  They were also responsible for the renovation and extension of The Lighthouse building, originally designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh in 1895 as the offices of the Glasgow Herald, and now Scotland’s Centre of Architecture and Design. 

In the Highlands and Islands Page and Park completed the architectural masterplanning for the Wick Townscape Heritage Initiative and conservation planning for Kinloch Castle on Rum.  They also recently designed the Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre currently being constructed at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness. 

The Eden Court project is due to be completed by 2007 will be a focal point for the Scottish Year of Highland Culture. 

Eden Court selected the design team for the capital initiative to bring together specialist skills, knowledge and talents to deliver what will be an exciting and demanding project.

Martin Sinclair from Osprey Mott Macdonald has been appointed as project manager for the development and he works from offices in Inverness and Edinburgh, ensuring the design team stay on target for completion at the end of 2006.  Mr Sinclair previously managed the phase 1 redevelopment of the Usher Hall in Edinburgh, and also the creation of a new building to house Museum of Scottish Country Life at Kittochside in South Lanarkshire.

Quantity surveyors Gardiner and Theobald, were appointed because of their significant experience of providing cost planning for large scale public buildings such as the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow and the Dynamic Earth visitor attraction in Edinburgh.   

Scott Wilson Ltd have been appointed as structural engineers.  Although a globally recognised company, Scott Wilson have offices in Inverness and Edinburgh and a great deal of experience in repairing buildings of 1970s construction. 

Service engineers will be Cundall, Johnston and Partners.  This Edinburgh-based company has worked on many projects including the Glasgow Science Centre and The Royal Albert Hall in London.

Sandy Brown Associates have been appointed as acoustic consultants to the project.  Based in South Queensferry, partner Laurence Haslam will ensure quality environments for sound will be created in the new performance spaces and in the redeveloped public areas of Eden Court.

Finally, Glasgow-based Turner and Townsend Project Management complete the Design Team as planning supervisors.

Speaking of his enthusiasm and dedication to the project, architect Brian Park commented,

“Page & Park consider this to be one of their most significant commissions since completing The Lighthouse in Glasgow in 1999. It  complements our Maggie's Cancer Care Centre project in Inverness, currently under construction at Raigmore Hospital. We are delighted to be playing our part in what is a tremendously important project for the Highlands, and we also recognise how important Eden Court is to the wider growth and development of the City of Inverness”.

The Design Team was selected through an open advertisement in the European Journal and interviews were held over the course of December 2003.

Speaking of his excitement at appointing Eden Court’s design team, board chairman Douglas Yule said.

“This is an incredibly strong design team who bring to the table substantial experience in their chosen fields, combined with very valuable specialist skills.  We are looking for cutting edge engineering and design to create a 21st century building for the region.  We believe this team will deliver all of this and more.”

The team will begin work on the project immediately and it is anticipated that plans for the new development will be available for public viewing in Eden Court from June 2004 onwards.