It would be one of the largest indoor arenas in Scotland, attracting the world’s most popular music acts to Dundee.
For the first time we can reveal plans for a Dundee Arena that would have the capacity for 10,000 people.
The city centre arena could also hold esports events, conferences, sports like darts and snooker as well as comedians.
Plans from Wilson and Gunn Architects show the venue would use the existing Mecca Bingo site in Nethergate but sweep round to use ‘site 2’ in the Dundee Waterfront plan.
This site is currently a temporary car park in Yeaman Shore, in front of the Thorntons law offices and opposite Malmaison Hotel.
As well as the arena, the plans have a 70-room hotel, restaurants and bars.
The estimated cost is between £60 million and £70 million and could take four to five years to go through planning to the end of construction.
Dundee Arena design inspired by Green’s Playhouse
Glasgow-based Wilson and Gunn Architects came up with an arena proposal for the Mecca Bingo in 2018, but could only reach a 6,375 capacity.
Director William Gunn said expanding into the waterfront development site would take it to another level.
He said: “There are very few acts worldwide that wouldn’t want to play a 10,000-capacity arena so we’re looking at getting most of the big guys.
“We also know we won’t get a concert of that size every day of the week.
“The facility would be flexible enough to create a more intimate gig.
“The design has been inspired by Green’s Playhouse, Dundee’s ‘super-cinema’ that used to be on the site.
“It was a cinema, but also a theatre and ballroom over two tiers.
“Likewise, we’re also hoping to attract a variety of performers and I think it could be sensational for the city.”
Dundee Arena could be economic catalyst
The venue’s capacity would be in line with the SSEC in Glasgow and only behind P&J Live in Aberdeen (15,000 capacity) and The Hydro in Glasgow (13,000) in Scotland.
On the ground level, there would be room for 3,000 seats or 4,500 people standing. The upper levels with seating would have capacity for 5,500.
The owner of the Mecca Bingo building and the architects have worked with a range of consultants, including engineers and traffic and acoustic specialists.
The main auditorium space has been located to the south of the site so that the existing building can act as an acoustic barrier to residential properties nearby.
Architect Kenny Stephen said economic benefits to the city could be similar to the impact of The Hydro in Glasgow.
That arena brings around two million people and £450m of revenue to Glasgow each year.
He said: “Something of this scale will bring people into the city and help the pubs, restaurants and hotels.
“With the V&A and Eden Project, it would mean people would stay for longer in the city and it would boost retail as well.
“£60m to £70m is the cost plan for the development. Two major operators have given notes of interest to operate the venue.”
Mecca Bingo’s lease for the building is up in the next few years.
What is the status of Dundee Waterfront site 2?
The proposal was put to Dundee City Council in December 2020 and Dundee Arena is still waiting for the green light.
At the time it was suggested that levelling up funding might be used for the development.
But another company, Our Enterprise, has planning permission for site 2.
It has planning permission for a co-working space, known as Studio Dundee, retail units, a café, urban offices and apartments.
But in four years since permission was given, no construction work has taken place. A condition was that work was to start within three years.
Our Enterprise did not respond for a request for comment.
Dundee City Council said it was aware of the Dundee Arena proposal but “cannot comment on any commercial discussions”.
A spokesman added: “If the site becomes available we will explore the proposals in greater detail.”
Meanwhile, a different group is planning an esports arena – with a capacity of around 3,500 – on another waterfront site, next to Slessor Gardens.
