Transforming the Athenaeum
A £2million planned transformation of the Athenaeum building will mean a new mid-size performance space - with an eye on attracting national and international performers, together with restaurants and bars.
The plans went on show at the Derry's Cross site today (Saturday July 11) and work starts on Monday.
The New Athenaeum Project will refurbish, modernise, and reimagine the historic building as a vibrant, inclusive, and multi-purpose arts, culture, and learning venue, supporting local, national, and international creative talent and community use.
The Plymouth Athenaeum dates to the early 1800s. Its building was designed by renowned architect John Foulston, but fell victim to the WW2 Blitz. The current rebuilt building opened in 1961.
Before Charles Darwin sailed on the HMS Beagle in 1831, he attended the Athenaeum. The Beatles visited the building in 1963 before performing at the next-door ABC Cinema.
The three-phase refurbishment works have an estimated cost in excess of £2m and will transform the Plymouth Athenaeum into a thriving cultural hub that will be open by Spring 2027.
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