Belmont Cinema team appoints local architect to reinvent the iconic Aberdeen venue
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The team behind plans to reopen the Belmont Cinema have appointed Aberdeen-based Architecture and Interiors firm, TINTO as the architects to help breathe new life into the city’s iconic, independent picturehouse.
Belmont Community Cinema Ltd were selected by Aberdeen City Council as the preferred operators for the Belmont in September 2023.
The charity worked with TINTO on initial concept designs as part of their successful proposal, and the team are delighted to continue that partnership by officially awarding the contract to re-design the cinema for a new audience.
Jacob Campbell, Trustee of Belmont Community Cinema Ltd. said: “We have been very impressed with the TINTO team over the past few months we have worked together: they have demonstrated a similar passion for the project, shown a deep-rooted understanding of the significance of the Belmont, its place within Aberdeen, and the steps required to preserve its future, whilst honouring its past.”
Richard Tinto, Founder and CEO of TINTO Architecture said that the award of this particular contract is gratifying on several levels:
“The Belmont Cinema has a hugely important role to play in nurturing and sustaining the cultural heartbeat of Aberdeen, as part of a campaign to regenerate the city centre while retaining its heritage. As a proud Aberdonian, I’m thrilled that TINTO has been appointed as a key player in preserving the Belmont as a classic cinematic experience for filmgoers, but also cementing its position as a community and educational hub for many years to come.
“Being awarded such a specialist project is testament to the skills, expertise and track record of the entire TINTO team in delivering unique, highly specialist cultural projects such as this.”
He added: “We passionately believe that our job as architects and designers is to create places and spaces which enhance the lives of the people who use and inhabit them, and respond sensitively to their cultural, social and environmental settings. The Belmont Cinema project is an opportunity for us to showcase these values in the process of reviving a much-loved, high-profile venue.”
In addition to TINTO, the team have also appointed industry expert Rob Kenny to project manage the refurbishment. Kenny brings extensive cinema outfit experience to the project. Having been Curzon Cinema’s Director of Cinema and Operations for 15 years, he now works as a consultant for Mustard Studio.
Rob Kenny said: "Aberdeen deserves a first-class independent cinema - and I am beyond excited to be part of the talented team bringing this prestigious cinema back to life."
Providing a cultural space within the city centre, the refurbished Belmont Cinema will showcase the very best in independent and world cinema, a new look cafe bar, and a modern community engagement/education space on the top floor to support the next generation of filmmakers.
Dallas King, Trustee of Belmont Community Cinema Ltd, said: “We are excited to be working closely with Richard, the TINTO team, and Rob over the coming months to realise our vision of reopening the Belmont Cinema and making it the destination for film in Aberdeen and the north-east.”
