Edinburgh University’s Appleton Tower to become new fringe venue

Edinburgh University’s Appleton Tower will become a fringe venue this summer to act as a replacement for Teviot Row House whilst it is undergoing a major refurbishment.

Venue operator Gilded Balloon has announced that several performing spaces will be created in Appleton Tower this August for the fringe festival, while EUSA will operate a bar in the premises.

The venue will host shows across the building in rooms capable of seating audiences of between 40 and 300 people

The building has been controversial since its construction in 1966 after it was put up in place multiple historical building demolished in George Square. Since then, the tower block is viewed by many in Edinburgh as an “eyesore” on campus despite refurbishments between 2006 and 2017, even being recommended as one of the “worst buildings in Britain” for an early 2000’s TV show.

The announcement comes after plans to host fringe shows in Teviot Row House fell through due to delays in the ongoing refurbishment works, with Gilded Balloon saying: “It will come as no surprise that Teviot Row house in Bristo square holds a very special place in our hearts, as well as the hearts of countless performers, promoters and audiences who attend the Fringe each year.”

“While we are obviously gutted at the news that it will not reopen in time for Fringe 2025 as planned, we understand the necessity of the work being done to ensure that it continues to provide modern, accessible facilities from 2026 onwards.”

EUSA announced in October Teviot Row House would not be reopening until 2026, despite the work being originally expected to finish in Spring of 2025, in time for this years Fringe Festival.

Most Read

Good lord, Bonnie Blue opened up about what Beavo was like in bed and I’m traumatised

Ciaran Davies has been spotted on dates with a girl he was in the Love Island villa with!

Jessica Alba’s unsolved 1996 kidnapping resurfaces as she was found tied up and blindfolded

The University of Edinburgh, who are paying for the refurbishment, blamed the delay on the need to unexpectedly fully rewire the building.

Whilst speaking on her podcast, Boss Wummin, Karen Koren, the founder of Gilded Balloon, said: “We only had one-year contracts before but they [EUSA] have offered us a three-year contract. They want to keep us, which is good. Teviot will live again and be fabulous when it reopens. I’m very excited about Appleton Tower this year.”

She goes on to say that while she is “gutted” about the loss of Teviot for another year, “Building theatres for the Fringe is a more and more expensive thing every year. It is exciting, but it is also quite daunting the amount that needs to be done for it to be of a standard we would be happy to present shows in.