City of Edinburgh approves new 8,500 seat arena
Image: courtesy of City of Edinburgh/AEG
Plans for a new 8,500 capacity arena by AEG at Edinburgh Park have been approved by the City of Edinburgh Council. Parabola, award-winning developer and site owner of Edinburgh Park, has agreed to sell the site for the new venue to AEG.
Alex Hill, President and CEO of AEG Europe said: “AEG is thrilled to announce this spectacular new arena for Edinburgh. It’s a location with immense potential, amplified by Parabola’s transformative development and regeneration of Edinburgh Park.
'The much needed 8,500-capacity arena will bring world-class live music and entertainment to Edinburgh, further cementing its reputation as a destination for culture and global tourism,. We look forward to this development becoming an integral part of the local community and complementing one of the best cities in the world for the arts and live entertainment.”
Peter Millican OBE, Chairman and Founder of Parabola said: ”Parabola is delighted to be working with AEG in the delivery of such an iconic venue for the city. This investment will complement all that is on offer at Edinburgh Park and ensure that the arts and culture has an outstanding live performance facility. The new Edinburgh Arena will put west Edinburgh on the map as a new cultural destination. “
Council Leader Cammy Day said:
'Edinburgh already boasts a great set of venues in the shape of Murrayfield, the Usher Hall and our theatres and increasingly, the world’s biggest stars are choosing the Capital. From Beyonce and Harry Styles to Taylor Swift’s record-breaking run, not forgetting our annual world famous festivals, Edinburgh has more than proved itself as a top destination for international acts.
We’ve been concentrating on developing our cultural offering and transport links in recent years to better connect the city, and the moment is right now to build on that. We’ve been crying out for a mid-size indoor arena but we have to make sure the infrastructure is in place for that and it has to be the right site.
This arena at Edinburgh Park offers the answer and the planning application received unanimous support from Councillors. There is no doubt this site has some of the best transport links in Scotland and it easy to picture audiences travelling from home or the airport by tram, train and bus to West Edinburgh for a show.
At the other end of the tram line to the North we have another great asset in the Leith Theatre and in the city centre the Ross Bandstand. Smaller music venues like these are also important to the fabric of Edinburgh’s live music offering and I remain committed to championing for their investment.
They are two prime examples of projects which I believe should benefit from Edinburgh’s visitor levy when it is in place.'