In Summer 2026, The Glasshouse begins its transformational glow up.
Designed and built for live music in 2004 and home to spine-tingling, mind-blowing, life-affirming experiences ever since, it’s amazing to think many of our essential systems and infrastructure are still the originals.
They’ve served us well but as we enter our third decade, they are long overdue for a crucial upgrade. Fancy using a mobile built in 2004? Laptop not been updated for 20 years? Making these changes will help unlock our most creatively ambitious era yet. We want to bring even more artists, orchestras and live music experiences to our stages, so even more people can enjoy music at The Glasshouse.
Because if the stage lift doesn’t work, the show can’t go on. Believe us…
Throughout July and August, the first phase of our capital renewal programme begins, tackling big areas of work as we revamp our main hall:
- A new power flying system
- Revamped stage lifts
- Full stage refurbishment
- Automated stage risers
- Replacing the systems that pump fresh air into the building
In September, it’s straight back to the business as reopen our newly refurbished hall with Royal Northern Sinfonia and Music Director Dinis Sousa with our Classical season opener. The orchestra will be on hand to test the acoustics and the first to perform on our new stage – just like when we first opened two decades ago.
What's happening in Phase One
Full stage refurbishment
After 21 years of gigs and concerts, our stage is starting to show its age. We’ll be completely replacing the wooden surface across the whole stage area bringing it back to its former glory from when we first opened.
A new power flying system
Our power flying system is a mechanical and electrical automation system that allows movement of all suspended acoustic ceiling panels, PA hoists and lighting trusses. We’re replacing the entire electrical and control system and adding new load capacity monitoring, making the system safer. We’re also adding redundancy equipment to every element of the control system.
Automated stage risers
Our orchestral risers help us position musicians on stage at different heights, optimising the sound projected into the auditorium when they perform. We’re replacing our orchestral risers with automated mechanical Serapid lift systems and our choir risers will be moved onto a brand new wheeled track system. This will mean we’re able to transform the stage at the push of a button (and avoid lots of heavy lifting!) and also allow Royal Northern Sinfonia and our visiting orchestras more space to perform.
To lay these tracks, we needed to remove the old system by digging out decades of concrete beneath the stage – a job for the diamond drillers.
Revamped stage lifts
Our stage lifts allow us to change the dimensions and heights of the stage. They were installed back in 2008 and have served us well, but systems are starting to become unreliable and fail which can put concerts at risk of cancellation. We’ll be replacing the control system, adding new safety features to the work areas beneath stage and of course, adding redundancy back up equipment.
Replacing our chiller units
We’ve replaced our two chiller units that provide essential cooling and regulate airflow through the building. These units are in the roof so the only way to remove them was to remove a section of our glass panels and lift them out by crane! A big milestone calls for a big crane.
The new chiller units, which pump cool air into our concert halls and move cool air and water around our building, are 23% more energy efficient than the original units. That means approximately 1 tonne of carbon emissions will be saved every year – the equivalent of flying from London to New York.
From our CEO, Fraser Anderson
“This is a vital investment in the future of The Glasshouse. I’m hugely grateful to all the donors and partners who have supported this first phase of our Renewal Programme, which aims to ensure our building and facilities serve the next generation just as brilliantly as they have for people during our first two decades.
When artists, young people, and production teams return to Sage One in September, they will find essential work on our infrastructure has been completed. These upgrades will mean the amazing live music that happens here will be better supported, giving a substantially improved experience for both performers and audiences.
Over 20 years The Glasshouse has become a national landmark, and we’re determined to ensure it continues to shine brightly from the North East. We’re not just maintaining a building – we’re protecting one of the UK’s great homes for live music, creative education, and artistic expression.”
With thanks to our contractors and experts
For Sage One works
AAC
Silverstone Building Consultancy
Arup
Demon Drillers
Theatre Plan
Storm Tempest
Blumano
Conisbee
GSS Architecture
Aecom
For chiller operations
Waagner Biro
Hadrian
Arcvelopes
Schneider
Thank you
We couldn’t have done this project without the help and support of the following organisations and individuals:
Anne Reece, Garfield Weston Foundation, Joanna and Graham Barker, The Barbour Foundation, The North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council, Arts Council England, The Shears Foundation, The Squires Foundation, Sir James Knott Trust and an anonymous donor.