Developers revealed early stage proposals last week
The charity behind arts provision at Edinburgh venue and cultural space Summerhall has called for “repair not demolition"”, saying it has “not seen anything” that demonstrates that developer AMA understands the importance of the building to the arts sector.
The management team behind Summerhall Arts warned it is "concerned" over redevelopment proposals which would see key parts of the building including the Anatomy Lecture Theatre and Dissection Room and the Royal Dick Pub bulldozed, saying their loss would have "implications for the arts".
Last week, developer AMA revealed early stage proposals for the site at a community consultation meeting ahead of submitting a full proposal to the City of Edinburgh Council. It plans to create a mixed use development which would include a hotel and retail facilities as well as a venue space and co-living and student residences.
A statement from Summerhall Arts said the demolition plans which would see the buildings removed to make way for a renovation of the site, are "integral to Summerhall’s identity, character and cultural offer".
Summerhall is home to over 100 tenants including artists, small businesses, as well as Barney’s Beer and Pickering Gin Distillery. Leases in the building are due to expire in April 2028 ahead of any proposed development.
Summerhall Arts said it believed there is an opportunity to develop a model that combines “appropriate investment in the building” with a “sustainable programme” of arts and cultural activity and community spaces, adding that achieving this would require a full understanding of the existing spaces and their cultural significance.
It said: “Summerhall is far more than a building. It is a distinctive cultural and community asset in Edinburgh, a home for artists and audiences, and a place where creativity, innovation and collaboration thrive. Its contribution to Edinburgh and Scotland’s cultural identity, creative economy and international reputation must be fully understood and recognised in any plans for its future.
“We are concerned that the current plans appear to earmark some of Summerhall’s most distinctive spaces for demolition. These spaces are not simply parts of a building. They are integral to Summerhall’s identity, character and cultural offer. Their loss would have implications for the arts activity that takes place across the site and for the wider experience of artists and audiences.”
It added: “We believe the potential for repair, renovation and continued cultural use deserves serious consideration as part of the search for a viable long-term solution".
Chief executive Sam Gough said: “Whilst our intention is to remain here and work with AMA to continue the provision of arts within Summerhall, the future space needs to be viable, and we are hopeful that the plans will provide that. We are encouraging all those who love Summerhall and its spaces to contribute to the consultation, to help the developers understand how important they are to what makes this already thriving arts centre what it is. At the moment, I have not seen anything that demonstrates this.
“So many of the beautiful, special parts of Summerhall, such as the historic Anatomy Lecture Theatre, the unique Dissection Room, Tech Cube 0 and the ever-so-wonderful Royal Dick pub, are earmarked for demolition.”
He added: “Our message is ‘repair, not demolish’. Edinburgh’s name as the world’s festival city rests partly on places like Summerhall. Developers, like arts organisations, are remembered for what they leave behind, and I would much rather AMA be remembered as the owner who protected it.”
The charity said its ambition is to see Summerhall continue as a thriving cultural destination, protecting the building’s “unique character” while enabling its artistic contribution to grow.
It said: “We recognise that any future proposal must be financially realistic and operationally sustainable. For Summerhall Arts, viability also means having sufficient affordable, appropriate and usable space to continue supporting and nurturing the wider community, artists, presenting work and engaging audiences throughout the year.”
Last week, Lorna Slater, MSP for Edinburgh Central, criticised the proposals set forward by AMA, saying she was “frustrated” by the options being presented.
AMA has been contacted for comment.