Scottish Ballet settle into new southside home

Scottish Ballet has taken up residence in their brand new headquarters at the Tramway in Pollokshields on the Southside. The LOCAL NEWS GLASGOW had a preview in advance of the company’s Ruby Anniversary season and Doors Open day.

Costing £11 million, the building incorporates B listed tramway stables accommodation dating back to 1893 as well as the 21st century, eco friendly, specially designed core studios and offices overlooking Pollokshaws Road and the railway line.

The company and friends raised £5 million of the total themselves. Two sales of costumes brought in £100,000 alone.

Sharing the Albert Drive entrance with Tramway and the Hidden Garden, Scottish Ballet is settling happily into their new home. Once inside the common foyer – where trams once were garaged – access to the Ballet’s HQ is via a stairway or a lift from the busy common meeting space.

‘There is something special here,’ said Cindy Sughrue, Chief Executive and Executive Producer of Scottish Ballet. ‘In the West End, where we were before, we didn’t feel a part of the community. But we do here.’ The café in the central foyer has even devised a ‘dancer’s special’ menu. That has become a hub for everyone connected to the company and gives them a chance to meet, mix and mingle with others working in or visiting the Tramway and the Hidden Garden which is behind it.

Architect Clive Albert of Malcolm Fraser which won the competition to design Scottish Ballet’s building, is clearly delighted with the outcome of his company’s work. ‘This is not a public building. It is working space for the company. It is backstage, education, creative space.’ With a tight rein on finance, many simple elements have been incorporated to keep running costs down. Biggest expense was Douglas Fir which was used to clad the heart of the building which is a big communal lounge area leading off to the green room, wardrobe, offices and upstairs to major studios and fitness suites and break-out spaces.

At key points, huge windows allow the passer-by to see at a glance what is happening inside the scenery production and transport department below or one of the studios above.

Because of the cross flow of people through the warm, wood panelled core, one company worker said they’d spoken to more co-workers in the first two days in the new building than they’d done in the previous two years in the old West Princes Street premises.