Saville Theatre is set for its next Act

Planning approval has been granted for the transformation of the iconic Grade II-listed Saville Theatre, a pivotal step in restoring the landmark to its original use as a live performance venue for the first time in 55 years.

Delivered in collaboration with SPPARC Architects for client Yoo Capital, the scheme reintroduces a 622-capacity, flexible auditorium and sensitively integrates a new citizenM boutique hotel above. The scheme will contribute to the ongoing evolution of London’s West End as a cultural destination and provide much-needed high-quality accommodation for West End visitors.

Saville Theatre to return to theatre use after 55 years

From Centre Stage to Cinema Screen

The Saville Theatre opened its doors in 1931, becoming a celebrated home for plays, musicals and legendary live music performances by the likes of Jimi Hendrix and The Rolling Stones.

But in 1970, the theatre took its final bow. Over the next five decades, the building was converted into its current use as a cinema, a transformation that sadly resulted in the loss of much of its original interiors during major alterations in the 1970s and early 2000s.

A Sensitive Restoration with a Bold New Vision

Now, the Saville Theatre is preparing for its next act. At the heart of the project is a flexible 622-seat auditorium, designed to host two shows each evening, re-establishing its place in the West End’s cultural landscape.

Above the restored theatre, a new citizenM hotel will rise, wrapped in a sculptural masonry façade inspired by the folds of a stage curtain. A contemporary architectural gesture rooted in theatrical tradition.

Crucially, the celebrated Drama Through the Ages frieze by Gilbert Bayes will also be carefully restored, preserving the building’s cultural heritage while redefining its future in Theatreland.

With planning secured, a new chapter begins, and the stage is set.