Bloomsbury Theatre site, University College London
Type: Refurbishment
Duration: 59 weeks
Value: £3m
A multi-phased £3m+ 550-seat theatre refurbishment project was successfully completed for University College London, providing enhanced facilities for their Bloomsbury Theatre site.
Works commenced with the strip-out and refurbishment of the upper and lower ground theatre, plus various areas on the first and second floors and the exterior façade. A first floor two-storey extension followed, accommodating new back stage offices, a store room and toilets. Two new bar areas with bespoke polished concrete bar counters and back-lit walls and social spaces were created; one for the upper circle area, and one in the basement where a new rehearsal studio with sound control deck, dressing rooms and toilets was installed.
The main entrance had a full make-over with a new foyer layout complete with bespoke fitments, new entrance screens, doors, handrails, balustrading and disabled lift. A new eye-catching façade completes the smart and modern look, with a bespoke LED lit canopy and colour changing signage now cutting a dash in WC1.
An additional new entrance has been formed to the north with steel staircase, with stone treads and disabled lift. A third staircase and disabled lift was formed internally to access the new upper circle bar. Finally, our project team re-carpeted and redecorated the auditorium whilst working alongside the client’s own team to install the new seating.
Extensive electrical and mechanical modifications and new installations were undertaken to accommodate the new areas and layouts, including specialist internal and external lighting and controls, a fire alarm, tannoy system, security systems, new mechanical plant, ventilation systems and air conditioning.
Working in a live environment throughout the complex programme demanded adherence to strict timelines; but it was undoubtedly worth all of the hard work to deliver such an impressive facility for UCL students.