The McLaren Construction team in Southampton were delighted when they were paid a visit today from Culture Minister Ed Vaizey at the City’s new £40m Arts Complex for Southampton City Council and Grosvenor Estates.

Ed was given a tour around the building which is set to open in 2016 in Southampton’s cultural quarter. He was impressed with the complex, which is being constructed through a private-public partnership between Southampton City Council and Grosvenor.

Mr Vaizey commented: “I think it is fantastic to come here and see it. It is going to complete the city’s cultural quarter. “I think the arts complex will help with any bids, and I think what is great about the whole city of culture is all the cities who participate show that they understood the importance of culture for the community.”

The new multi-purpose centre will include two flexible performance spaces, a dance studio, film-making facilities, gallery spaces, education facilities and six retail units. Additionally, there will be 38 residential apartments over seven floors, fully fitted out to a high specification. When complete, the New Arts Complex will house the Performing Arts Centre, a new home for the John Hansard Gallery and facilities for film and video organisation, City Eye.

McLaren Southampton Site Visited by Ed Vaisey