The Young Vic Theatre was opened in 1970 as a temporary structure. However it was not until a design competition in April 2002 that Howarth Tompkins Architects were appointed to redevelop the Theatre. The project’s main funders include the Arts Council, ERDF and individual donations.

The building comprises the extension of the existing theatre, with the addition of two studios, workshops, offices, and back of house facilities. Key features of the project include the renovation of the existing butchers shop which was retained and incorporated into the design, an artist was commissioned to design the cladding to the theatre and finally there is a sedum roof to the second floor terrace.

The procurement method was a single stage contract without quantities. The overall construction cost was £7.666 million which equated to £2,430/m2 which is lower than the benchmark average.

The project was completed in Aug 2006 with the first production commencing in October 2006. The project was completed on budget.