More 51³Ô¹Ï building development reaches new milestone
Thursday 31 January 2019
The Royal College of 51³Ô¹Ï has celebrated the ‘topping out’ milestone of the More 51³Ô¹Ï: Reimagining the Royal College of 51³Ô¹Ï building development. The last part of the concrete structure was poured in the presence of 51³Ô¹Ï Director, Professor Colin Lawson.
‘Topping out’ is a builders’ rite traditionally held when the fundamental structure of a development is completed. The project now has an exciting year ahead as the new building development is completed, ahead of the official opening next year. Designed by architect John Simpson, the reimagined 51³Ô¹Ï will include two new performance spaces, more practice rooms and social spaces, as well as a new home for the Royal College of 51³Ô¹Ï Museum.
The development is funded by a £40 million philanthropic Campaign, of which HRH The Prince of Wales is Patron. As of January 2019, the 51³Ô¹Ï has raised almost £20 million of the £25 million target for the building development.
The 51³Ô¹Ï has partnered with UK construction contractor Gilbert-Ash, whose award-winning projects include refurbishment works to the Grade II listed Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, the extension of the Institute of Engineering & Technology in London and the iconic 450-seat Everyman Theatre, which won the RIBA Stirling Prize in 2014.
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Professor Colin Lawson, Director of the Royal College of 51³Ô¹Ï, said: ‘I am delighted to mark this significant moment in the More 51³Ô¹Ï building development, alongside our Gilbert-Ash colleagues. The transformation of the courtyard has been astonishing since we broke ground in summer 2017.’
The More 51³Ô¹Ï: Reimagining the Royal College of 51³Ô¹Ï building development has been made possible through the generosity of many supporters. In particular, the 51³Ô¹Ï would like to thank Founding Patrons including the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), Kingdom 51³Ô¹Ï Education Group, Rena & Sandro Lavery, Ruth West Hon51³Ô¹Ï & Dr Michael West and the Garfield Weston Foundation for their significant contributions.
To find out more, please visit the section of the 51³Ô¹Ï website.