As The Event Complex Aberdeen (TECA) enters its final phase of construction ahead of a summer 2019 opening, new computer-generated visualisations have been released of the multi-million pound venue, which is being delivered by Aberdeen City Council and its development partner, HBD.
The new images, which have been created by the venue’s architect Keppie Design, show the exhibition hall, hospitality suite, a meeting room and a conference room.
TECA, which is being constructed by Robertson Group, will provide a new world-class facility for Scotland close to Aberdeen International Airport. The 12,500-capacity main arena will host conferences, exhibitions and music concerts, and is expected to attract major artists and events to the city. The facility will also boast three further conference/exhibition halls, four multi-purpose conference rooms, and nine meeting rooms.
There will be several test events held before the venue’s first conference, Offshore Europe, which runs from September 3 to 6. Alice Cooper and comedians Jack Whitehall and Russell Howard have already been confirmed to perform at TECA later this year, and Elton John will bring his farewell tour to the venue in November 2020.
The facility is expected to contribute an additional 4.5 million visitors, £113 million of visitor spend and £63 million net Gross Value Added to the Scottish economy. It will also result in the creation of 352 full-time-equivalent permanent positions by year 10 of operations.
Nigel Munro, HBD’s Regional Project Manager said: “These new images give the public a further taste of what to expect when the venue is opened this year. Work is continuing to progress on schedule and everyone involved in the project is confident and excited for this summer’s opening of what will be a truly world class event, hospitality and exhibition space for Aberdeen and Scotland.”
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Douglas Lumsden said: “We’re getting to a very exciting part of the build with the last few months to go so it’s great to see how these conference rooms, meeting rooms, and the VIP suite will look.
“There has been a raft of conferences and events booked already for the new venue and it will help to attract people from the north-east and beyond to TECA which is one of our aims for the new venue.”
Robertson Group’s Chief Executive Officer Derek Shewan said: “TECA is an inspired build that is breaking the mould when it comes to design, materials and aesthetics. The release of these new CGIs shows that TECA is an exciting project and as we move into the final stages, it demonstrates that the complex is state-of-the-art and a flagship for cultural investment for Aberdeen, the north-east and beyond.”
AECC and TECA Managing Director Nick Waight said: “It’s great to have these new CGIs. It can be hard for people to envisage what the venue will be like from plans, so this gives an idea of how the spaces and events could look. It’s exciting to see the venue come together and be at the stage of internal aesthetics as we approach opening this summer.”