The University's Teviot, the world’s oldest purpose-built student union, has officially reopened its doors today following a two-and-a-half-year refurbishment.
Students' Association President Ash Scholz, University Associate Principal and Deputy Secretary, Students, Lucy Evans and Student Trustees reopen Teviot.
The extensive renovation has transformed Edinburgh’s iconic student home while honouring the building’s heritage, providing essential updates to improve accessibility, environmental performance, services and facilities.
The project has also focussed on upgrading the building while preserving Teviot’s unique character, creating a vibrant versatile space that offers the best experience for today’s students.
The reopening marks a major milestone for the University as students and visitors return to Teviot in a phased reopening, with the majority of spaces within the building open from today.
Teviot has reopened following a two-and-a-half-year renovation.
Student spaces
Students can use and enjoy reimagined interior spaces, including a new lounge, group workspaces and gallery studio, designed as dedicated areas for students to relax and connect in.
The Gallery Studio will host a programme supporting students creative, physical and mental wellbeing, with events, workshops and classes featuring meditation, yoga and crafting.
Union Social, the new bar and restaurant created from the former Sports and Underground bars has transformed the rear of the building.
New social spaces include bar and cafe Union Social, which is also open to the public and accessible from a new entrance on Charles Street Lane.
Open to all
Union Social, the new bar and restaurant created from the former Sports and Underground bars has transformed the rear of the building.
This large, contemporary bar offers a daily food and drink service and serves as a ‘go to’ entertainment space.
It will have programming five nights per week featuring live music, DJs, a Sunday-night pub quiz and show major sporting events year-round.
Events are planned at Union Social throughout March and beyond to welcome Teviot back to life on campus. Six Nations Rugby will be shown live on the big screens this weekend.
Edinburgh locals and visitors are welcome to enjoy this new space, and rest of the building, alongside students.
The interior of the refurbished Lounge, now a space for students to relax and recharge in.
Relax and reset
The Gallery Café is open, serving locally roasted coffee and a great grab-and-go spot for quick lunches and sweet treats, while the Gallery Commons, a new light and bright space, is open for student socialising and collaborative working.
The Lounge, formerly a bar area, is a space for students to relax, with sofas and facilities to heat food brought from home. Other spaces, including the much-loved Library Bar, will open soon.
The spectacular original windows of the Debating Hall have been fully restored as part of the project.
Edinburgh icon
First opened in 1889, the building was designed by architects Sydney Mitchell and Ralph Scott and, in what is widely thought to be a global first, created specifically as a place for students to gather.
In the 136 years since, Teviot has remained an iconic feature of student life, establishing itself as a year-round events host and much-loved venue during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Managed by Edinburgh University Students’ Association in collaboration with architects Page\Park, with funding from the University to invest in and improve the building, project work began in September 2023.
Extensive upgrades have improved accessibility and increased energy efficiency, while modernising amenities including toilet provision.
Stained glass detailing in Union Social was uncovered and restored during renovations.
Celebrating heritage
A major focus of the renovation has been to preserve the atmosphere and architecture that generations of students and visitors have loved.
Favourite spaces, including the Library Bar and Debating Hall, remain reassuringly familiar, with subtle renovations enhancing interiors and restoring heritage features where needed.
The Students’ Association has worked closely with independent businesses, skilled craftspeople and apprentices across Scotland to restore original features, creating valuable training opportunities for young people entering the heritage and construction sectors.
As part of the reopening, a new exhibition and audio guide celebrating the rich history of Teviot, its restoration and the Students’ Association, will be available for all visitors to explore.
The Loft Bar has been fully modernised and is available for event hire.
Looking ahead
Following the refurbishment, Teviot will once again provide a unique setting for studying, socialising and event hire, as one of Edinburgh’s most versatile and atmospheric venues.
Looking forward, in August 2026, the Students’ Association will welcome Gilded Balloon back to Teviot for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, marking the return of one of the city’s flagship performance partnerships to its home venue.
This renovation was driven by the need to carry out essential repairs and upgrades to an iconic building on our campus. We have significantly improved accessibility, facilities and sustainability, while carefully preserving its heritage and character for students today and for generations to come. It is fantastic to see Teviot so thoughtfully reimagined and ready to welcome visitors once again.
Professor Sir Peter Mathieson
Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh
Teviot has always been at the heart of student life in Edinburgh, so reopening it now, while campus is still buzzing and before exams begin, feels incredibly important. We wanted students to have as much time as possible to enjoy the space before the end of term and the summer break. Teviot is somewhere to connect, celebrate and take a breather during one of the busiest points in the year. We’re proud to be bringing it back as an inclusive, welcoming space, and we can’t wait to see it full of life again for this final stretch of the academic year.
