The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society has unveiled a first look at the new permanent home for the Edinburgh Fringe community, Fringe Central, ahead of its opening this August.
Previously operating as a temporary pop-up hub during the festival, Fringe Central will now become a year-round space for artists, producers, media and arts industry professionals, while also serving as the new headquarters for the Fringe Society team.
Located at 6 Infirmary Street in Edinburgh, the former schoolhouse has undergone a major refurbishment over the last 12 months, with sustainability and accessibility central to the redevelopment.
New additions include air source heat pumps, a Changing Places toilet and a lift, while preserving the character and history of the building and surrounding area.
The Fringe Society has also worked closely with local schools and community organisations throughout the refurbishment process. Partnerships have included workshops and performances with Royal Mile Primary School, Sciennes Primary School and James Gillespie’s High School, alongside collaborations with Canongate Youth and LGBT Youth Scotland.
Funding support for the project has come from the UK Government through the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, The Foyle Foundation, SP Energy Networks Transmission Net Zero Fund and the Changing Places Toilets Scotland Fund. The City of Edinburgh Council also supported the development through a 99-year lease agreement for the building.
Tony Lankester, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society said: “Today is an exciting day for everyone at the Fringe Society, as we formally move into 6 Infirmary Street, which will be known from now as Fringe Central. For nearly ten years we have had a desire to create a welcoming space for everyone involved with the Festival Fringe – from artists, producers and venues to Edinburgh’s residents and stakeholders across the city.
“We are extremely grateful to the UK Government, the City of Edinburgh Council and our wider funders and supporters for helping us realise this long-held ambition. With just weeks now until the 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, we can’t wait to open the doors to the thousands of participants coming to Edinburgh this August for the most important cultural event in the world.”
Arts Minister Ian Murray said: “The Fringe Society does fantastic work keeping the largest performing arts festival in the world thriving. It’s high time they have a permanent home, and I know this will support their great ambitions for the festival.
“I know from my summers working at the Edinburgh Fringe that it is all about bringing people together. This hub for the Society, the artists, producers and media is the perfect embodiment of that. I know everyone associated with the Fringe and the wider Edinburgh festivals will benefit hugely from the new hub.”
The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge said: “It is wonderful to see the vision for Fringe Central realised in this first look. As a year-round city centre base, this fantastic facility will provide a welcoming space for everyone involved in the Fringe festival while also creating valuable opportunities and space for local cultural organisations. It will serve as a hub for the outstanding outreach work carried out throughout the city all year round.”
Fringe Central will open to media and arts industry professionals from Wednesday 5 August, before opening to artists from Friday 7 August during the 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
More information can be found here.
