Performing Arts Centre

Leicester's new £59 million Performing Arts Centre has it all - cutting-edge architectural design, unique features to put the audience at the heart of every performance and an internationally-famous architect behind it all - Rafael Vinoly.

The milestone for the multi-million pound project has prompted Rafael to come and cast his critical eye over how things are progressing.

Rafael was impressed with how the building was progressing and also gave his opinion on maintaining links with the past.

Photo: Ian Davis, Leicester City Council

East Meets West

The world-famous architect is behind renowned international projects such as the Kimmel Centre for the Performing Arts in Pennsylvania.

Rafael's design was a finalist for the redevelopment of the World Trade Centre and he was delighted to hear that it seemed to have triggered the regeneration of the St George's cultural quarter.

He said that it would make an attractive place for people to go to who wouldn't normally engage with the arts. 

The Performing Arts Centre is due to be handed over to the Leicester Theatre Trust in the spring of 2008 and the first production is due to take place in the autumn.

As for how it'll look in the decades to come, he says his team have made a huge effort to make the building fit in with others around it which include Art Deco and Victorian styles.

The centre, which has not been named yet, should be christened later this year, say Leicester City Council.