Edinburgh University’s historic student union reopens after extensive refurb
The University of Edinburgh’s Teviot, the world’s oldest purpose-built student union, reopened today following a two-and-a-half-year refurbishment.
The extensive renovation has transformed the landmark student union to create a vibrant versatile space, including a new lounge and contemporary bar, group workspaces, a gallery studio, and introduced essential accessibility improvements.
Reopening its doors at 10am on Wednesday (March 4), the university said project has reimagined interior spaces whilst preserving the building’s unique character and now offers the best experience for today’s students.
Ash Scholz, Students’ Association President: “Teviot has always been at the heart of student life in Edinburgh, so reopening it now, while campus is still buzzing and before exams begin, feels incredibly important. We wanted students to have as much time as possible to enjoy the space before the end of term and the summer break.
“Teviot is somewhere to connect, celebrate and take a breather during one of the busiest points in the year. We’re proud to be bringing it back as an inclusive, welcoming space, and we can’t wait to see it full of life again for this final stretch of the academic year.”
A new bar and restaurant, Union Social, replaces the former Sports and Underground bars and transformed the rear of the building. The large, contemporary bar will offer a daily food and drink service and serve as a ‘go to' entertainment space, with programming five nights per week featuring live music, DJs, a Sunday-night pub quiz and showing major sporting events year-round.
Events are planned at Union Social throughout March to welcome Teviot back to life on campus. Six Nations Rugby will be shown live on the big screens this opening weekend, with Edinburgh locals welcome to enjoy the new space, and rest of the building, alongside students.
Familiar spaces
Favourite spaces, including the Library Bar and Debating Hall, remain reassuringly familiar, with subtle renovations enhancing interiors and restoring heritage features where needed. The Gallery Café is also open, serving coffee, quick lunches and sweet treats, while the Gallery Commons, a new light and bright space, is open for student socialising and collaborative working.
The Lounge, formerly a bar area, is now a space for students to relax, with sofas and facilities to heat food brought from home. Other spaces, including the much-loved Library Bar, will open soon. As part of the reopening, a new exhibition and audio guide celebrating the rich history of Teviot, its restoration and the Students’ Association, will be available for all visitors to explore.
Year-round venue
As well as being an iconic feature of student life over the last 136 years, Teviot has also established itself as a year-round events host and much-loved venue during the festival.
In August, the Students’ Association will welcome Gilded Balloon back to Teviot for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, marking the return of one of the city’s flagship performance partnerships to its home venue. A major focus of the renovation has been to preserve the atmosphere and architecture that generations of students and visitors have loved.
Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh: “This renovation was driven by the need to carry out essential repairs and upgrades to an iconic building on our campus.
“We have significantly improved accessibility, facilities and sustainability, while carefully preserving its heritage and character for students today and for generations to come. It is fantastic to see Teviot so thoughtfully reimagined and ready to welcome visitors once again.”