A Grade B-listed former schoolhouse on Infirmary Street is being transformed into a year-round base for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, backed by £250,000 from SP Energy Networks’ Transmission Net Zero Fund.

Renovation of the 1885 building is progressing, with the charity aiming to open the new headquarters this summer. The project will give the Fringe a permanent Old Town home, strengthening its links with the city's cultural life beyond August and providing a focal point for artists, audiences, partners and local residents throughout the year.

The Net Zero funding is supporting a package of sustainable upgrades that retain the building's historic character while making it fit for modern cultural use. Works include restoring key architectural features, installing heritage-appropriate windows and enhanced insulation, and replacing the gas heating system with low-carbon air source heat pumps.

Additional support from the UK Government and The Foyle Foundation forms part of a wider funding package to create an inclusive, accessible space welcoming artists, visitors and community groups all year round.

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Guy Jefferson, Transmission Managing Director at SP Energy Networks, said: "This is exactly the kind of project our Transmission Net Zero Fund was created to support: taking a historic building that means something to the city and helping bring it back into everyday use. What strikes me is how determined the Fringe Society team is to protect what makes this place special while making it work for the people who will use it.

"The Fringe is part of Edinburgh's identity, and this is about creating a community hub for it. When people walk in, we want them to feel inspired, creative and supported."

The site at 6 Infirmary Street has deep roots in Edinburgh's history. Once within the grounds of the Blackfriars Priory and inside the Flodden Wall, it became home to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh in 1741. The hospital was demolished in 1885 to make way for a new primary school designed by Robert Wilson. Today, the building lies within the Edinburgh World Heritage Site and the Old Town Conservation Area.

Westaly Duigan, Head of Fundraising and Strategic Partnerships at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: "This building will create a dedicated, year-round base for the Fringe, offering space for artists, communities and partners to come together in the heart of Edinburgh. It's about complementing the city's existing cultural venues and creating more opportunities for creativity, collaboration and connection beyond August.

"The funding from SP Energy Networks has allowed us to complete vital work and maintain momentum on the project. This is an important step not just for the Fringe, but for Edinburgh, helping to create a welcoming, flexible space where ideas can develop, where artists can be supported, and where local people can engage with the Fringe in ways that feel relevant throughout the year."