Canterbury theatre scheme approved
A gala event has been held to mark the closure of the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury, Kent, which is set to undergo a £25.6m revamp after the local authority approved plans for the redevelopment of the venue.
Canterbury City Council (CCC) voted in favour of the proposals on 19 March, which will include a new 1,200-seat auditorium with improved acoustics and sightlines, as well as a second, smaller performance space built on the site of the existing Marlowe venue. The second space, which will be able to accommodate 150 seated spectators or 300 standing, will be dedicated to participation and learning for local schools, universities and the wider community in order to ensure that the new Marlowe is both a presenting and a producing theatre.
Plans also include enhanced public areas incorporating foyers and bars on all three floors, a riverside walk, a café and terrace, and a piazza that will enable outdoor performances to be held at the venue. Keith Williams Architects, the company behind the design of the new Wexford Opera House in Ireland, has drawn up designs for the new-look Marlowe Theatre, while the contractor for the scheme will be announced on 31 March.
It is expected that work will get underway in May on the new venue, which is scheduled to reopen in September 2011 and has been funded by CCC, Kent County Council, the South East England Development Agency and fundraising campaigns. CCC leader John Gilbey said: "The residents of Canterbury and the district can now look forward to the many benefits that this magnificent new theatre will bring to the area. Not only will we enjoy the best productions and performers around, but the theatre's second space will give a career springboard for our many talented youngsters.
"This great project will provide crucial jobs for local people at this difficult time, and once it is opened, the new theatre will act as the catalyst for much-needed regeneration in the local area."
UAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Ben Channon has written Happy by Design, a new book about how architecture affects our mental health. He explains how we can all be happier at home