In 1995, Soho Theatre, led by David Aukin, Abigail Morris and Mark Godfrey, began its search for a new home. 21 Dean Street, the former Great West End Synagogue in the heart of London’s West End, was identified as the ideal choice. In 1996, Soho Theatre was awarded an £8 million Lottery grant from the Arts Council of England to purchase the building and create the Soho Theatre. An additional £2.6 million in matching funding was raised and over 500 donors supported the building appeal.

Following the successful Site Specific season - created in a temporary theatre space at 21 Dean Street - building work began in 1997, overseen by architects Paxton Locher. In Spring 2000, Soho Theatre successfully completed one of the country’s most innovative Lottery projects when it opened the Soho Theatre + Writers’ Centre. The project took six years, was completed within the original budget and, from that time, the Company has grown from an organisation employing five people with a turnover of £250,000 to one which employs 22 full time staff and has a turnover approaching £2 million.

Thank you to all our supporters who helped create the Soho Theatre.