A new theatre is to be created at London's iconic Tower Bridge, to open the year after next.
Built as part of the One Tower Bridge development, the venue will be home to Nicholas Hytner and Nick Starr's independent producing company the London Theatre Company.
Designed by Steve Tompkins and Roger Watts of Stirling Prize-winning practice Haworth Tompkins, the venue will be the only commercial central London theatre of its size outside the confines of the historic West End.
Nicholas Hytner and Nick Starr said, "while London is fortunate in its heritage of Victorian and Edwardian theatres, relatively few new theatres of scale have been built in London in the last hundred years. It feels like the time is right for a new theatre that answers the needs of contemporary theatre-makers and audiences, and which will be the home to our new independent producing company.
"With our friends Steve Tompkins and Roger Watts of Haworth Tompkins, we've been looking for the kind of space in the kind of location that could galvanise playwrights, directors and actors. We are thrilled to make this partnership with Berkeley Homes and Southwark, and couldn't be more optimistic for the future."
The London Theatre Company promises a range of schools’ initiatives and educational opportunities alongside its programme of world-class performances.
The theatre is due to open in 2017, subject to financing and planning. It will be capable of end-stage, thrust-stage, in-the-round and promenade formats. The audience will benefit from modern facilities.
The auditorium, which will be the template for further LTC theatres, is precision-engineered, quick to assemble on site and incorporates integrated services.
The mixed-use riverside development will include restaurants, cafes, shops, apartments, commercial units and a boutique hotel.