BUSINESS EVENTS SCOTLAND’S FINEST VENUES
Physicians Centre revamp: the operation that was a £3.5m success
Just the tonic as Physicians International Conference Centre completes stylish upgrade
BY KEVIN O’SULLIVAN W
hat a difference 12 months makes. After a £3.5m refurbishment, the Royal College
of Physicians of Edinburgh is reap- ing the benefits of a total makeover that has seen the capital’s confer- ence centre transformed into a world-class facility. Located in a grand row of col-
lonaded Georgian buildings in the New Town, the prestigious organisation also doubles up as an exhibition centre, housing some of the College’s rare historic collec- tions. Te venue has a fresh and vibrant feel to it after a complete overhaul, which has seen the old entrance relocated to Number 11 Queen Street and turned into a fully accessible modern events complex with stylish reception and exhibition rooms. Te Physicians International
Conference Centre was officially opened by HRH Te Princess Royal at the beginning of February, and has immediately attracted rave reviews from external clients, not to mention a great deal of interest from event organisers far and wide. Te centrepiece 300-seat audi-
torium is an impressive facility boasting a suite of technology that reflects an investment in state-of- the-art audio-visual, webstreaming and video-conference systems. Due to its height, the back row feels close to the action and the acoustics are impressive; conveniently located microphones within the columns ensure that delegates can address the audience from fixed positions around the room. Outside the main auditorium, the
foyer has been stylishly remodelled and can be used for delegate regis- tration, networking and breakout sessions. Designers have clearly paid attention to the ‘flow’ of the venue, and the interconnectedness of the
The state-of-the-art 300- seat auditorium at the
Physicians International Conference Centre in Edinburgh
Before and after pictures of the foyer highlight the quality of the refurbishment
building’s different zones has vastly improved. Away from the modern confer-
ence centre, the other function rooms retain the original charm of an organisation that first convened more than 300 years ago. Tese historic spaces are also highly versatile and can be used for a range of smaller meetings, seminars or drinks receptions. Te books and manuscripts on display in the
New Library provide a stunning backdrop to gatherings of up to 150 and the Great Hall is truly a space to behold; the carved ceiling stuccoes and gildings are rich with detail and are testament to craftsmanship of a bygone era. Tis is a space for event planners looking for the ‘wow’ fac- tor to impress delegates, and it can be used in any number of configu- rations depending on the event. One of the main drivers of the
refurbishment was to make the con- ference centre more accessible. Te redesigned and refurbished reception and foyer, the new public exhibition space, upgraded conferencing facili- ties, and the fully-accessible entrance on Queen Street are all evidence of that. What’s more the venue has achieved all of that with a design aes- thetic that boldly blends old and new.
venue.rcpe.co.uk EVENTSBASE | SPRING 2019 | 33
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