Plans to extend and transform the iconic and much-loved Lemon Tree have been unveiled after they were approved by Aberdeen Performing Arts.
The revamp – which will include an extension to house a new studio, foyer, café, meeting space and accessible entrance – will now move on to the design development stage after APA’s board unanimously adopted the outline proposals.
The Lemon Tree’s iconic Lounge and Studio spaces will remain and be upgraded, with improves staging, sightlines and technical facilities.
Also, an “urban cottage garden” will provide new external seating and performance space and can be seen in an artist’s impression of the proposed view of the new-look Lemon Tree.
Details of the proposals for the legendary venue – which has hosted the likes of Radiohead, Snow Patrol, Travis, Texas and Emeli Sande – were unveiled after the board’s thumbs-up, with a view to submitting an application for planning consent by the end of the year.
The Lemon Tree will retain friendly, intimate, off-beat style
Jane Spiers, chief executive of Aberdeen Performing Arts, said: “2022 is the 30th anniversary of the Lemon Tree. In that time, it has built up an enviable reputation nationally and internationally for discovering tomorrow’s legends today and supporting homegrown talent.
“The plans retain the informal, friendly, intimate, off-beat style and story that is so unique to the Lemon Tree and are focussed on creating a more accessible, integrated environment and experience for audiences, artists and employees alike.”
The proposals follow a feasibility study by Richard Murphy Architects, commissioned by APA with support from Aberdeen City Council and Scottish Enterprise, to look at options for upgrading the venue, which is an unmissable destination on the national touring circuit for performing arts.
Lemon Tree plans align with £150m drive to regenerate Queen Street
APA said The Lemon Tree plans align with the council’s commitment to regenerate the city centre, which has included a £150 million revamp of the Queen Street area as a cultural and residential quarter.
Council co-leaders Councillors Alex Nicol and Ian Yuill, said they were looking forward to discussing with APA how they can work together to regenerate Queen Street.
The Lemon Tree plans were also welcomed by Dr Duncan Cockburn, chair of Culture Aberdeen, a partnership of cultural organisations in the city, who praised APA for consulting Aberdeen’s cultural sector to create a much-needed studio and rehearsal space.
He said: “This development has the potential to be a distinctive feature of the Aberdeen economic development story in the years to come and within it we see great opportunity for arts and culture, artists and creative practitioners to help shape and drive the next chapters of Aberdeen’s story.”
Fundraising campaign planned for The Lemon Tree revamp proposals
Aberdeen Performing Arts chair, Craig Pike, said The Lemon Tree has a special place in Aberdeen’s story and urged people of the city to help make it a reality.
“We are now setting the stage for a bright future which will benefit communities, business and the cultural sector in the city,” he said.
“Aberdeen Performing Arts has pledged to get the fundraising campaign underway, we hope everyone will join us on the journey and get behind this exciting project for the city and nation.”
City venue was launchpad for superstars like Radiohead, Lewis Capaldi and Emeli Sande
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