Edinburgh City Council's controversial renovation of the Assembly Rooms on George Street has received a funding boost in the form a £441,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).
The announcement follows recent funding contributions towards the building work on the A-listed building from both heritage agency Historic Scotland and the Scottish Government.
The renovation of the Assembly Rooms involves putting in shop units at ground level to the front of the building, and a fine-dining restaurant to the rear. The building's best-known tenant, Assembly Theatre, established the building as a major venue at the Edinburgh Fringe in August, over a period of 30 years. It has been a vocal critic of the project to develop the commercial component of the building.
Edinburgh City Council has said the renovation will make the Assembly Rooms a more attractive "events hub" for a wider number of tenants throughout the year, and it will put the building on a more financially secure footing at a difficult time for many of Edinburgh's theatre spaces.
The Council says that the building has already attracted significant interest from across the restaurant, retail and venue operator sectors.
Colin McLean, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, said: "The Heritage Lottery Fund is delighted to support a project which will inject new life, light and splendour into the Assembly Rooms. This beautiful venue has its roots in Edinburgh's social, architectural and cultural history. The refurbishment will allow it to sparkle once again for the benefit of residents and visitors to the city for many years to come."
Councillor Deidre Brock, Culture and Leisure Convenor, said work has already begun on the building.
"The contractors are on site and are working on the first phase of the refurbishment," she said.
The Assembly Rooms will be closed for renovation during the Fringe this year.
The project is scheduled for completion in time for the venue to play a key role in the Cultural Olympiad in summer 2012.