One of the most important considerations, when looking at the restoration of a magnificent building, such as the Grade II* listed Kings Theatre, is how to modernise the space available whilst preserving its heritage.
For 10 years, we have been looking at how we can do this at The Kings, and we are now extremely thrilled to announce our project 1907 Elevation – which will elevate this Edwardian gem into an iconic 21st century cultural destination.
We now have a strong proposal which has met with approval from Historic England and Portsmouth City Council’s Conservation Team and has the support of The Theatre’s Trust. This exciting project will see the three shops along Albert Road transformed to become part of our 117-year-old building, whilst keeping the historic streetscape to preserve Frank Matcham’s original vision.
We will be connecting the theatre to the street with a bright new entrance foyer; creating a flexible rehearsal and communal space and providing modern facilities which meet the expectations of our audiences – all of which will improve accessibility for all patrons wishing to visit. We will also be restoring our iconic portico at the front of the building.
We have now completed the Pre-Application phase and are moving to RIBA 3, which is a full planning and listed building application. This will include a detailed specification and full consultation process which will lead us towards the important fundraising campaign.
Keep up to date with all news of the 1907 Elevation project across our website and social media.
