The Shaftesbury Theatre was originally opened in 1911 as the New Princes Theatre with a capacity of 2,500. In 1963 the Theatre adopted the name “Shaftesbury Avenue Theatre” with a reduced capacity of 1,416. In the 1970s the theatre was at risk of demolition for commercial development, but the ‘Save London's Theatres’ campaign rescued it and it was given listed building protection in 1974 where it remains today in all its glory in the heart of Shaftesbury Avenue.
Architects Bennetts Associates were commissioned to develop the new spaces, creating bars and workspaces whilst also addressing accessibility and comfort in the auditorium. From 2020 MCD Heritage have been the main contractor throughout this mammoth task, delivering the works and preserving the space. The projects have been varied and complex, including structural repairs, refurbishment, sustainability works, lift repairs and compliance and fire upgrades, demonstrating MCD Heritages diverse delivery capability.
One of the largest projects to date has been the construction of the 1911 bar built underneath the main pavement outside the theatre. Major construction was carried out by a specialist company to carve out the space and once complete MCD Heritage took over the project to conduct the fit out works. This included a bespoke wooden bar and wall paneling, lighting and ventilation, adding an acoustic ceiling, and carpets and toilets in keeping with the style of the building.
In addition, the team have delivered several large projects including new toilets on two floors, a second bar adjacent to the stalls, a state-of-the-art hospitality suite, and upgrading the existing ventilation system routed from the basement through all four floors to the roof of the Theatre.
What the client had to say about us –
“[The MCD Site Team] were easy to deal with and clearly very experienced when asked technical questions regarding the build. In addition, the dynamic management of the site and, in particular, how quickly the asbestos issue was deal with was impressive and great to see.”Shaftesbury Theatre