Leicester City Council says its multi-million pound glass-fronted arts centre is to be permanently on view to the public.

Plans drawn-up by Rafael Vinoly architects, reveal two auditoria seating 350 and 750 people, two performance spaces, a public foyer and a stage at street level. Backstage set-building will become an ever-changing window display.

The versatile building – designed to provide “16 ways to stage show and performances,” is to also offer production workshop space, room for community and education work and rehearsal rooms and facilities.

“This is the biggest single, city council project in living memory,” said councillor Willmott, leader of Leicester City Council. “It will bring people of different communities and cultures from all over the city together in one place, in a way that has never been possible before.”

The performing arts venue is the first UK commission for Rafael Vinoly, who were shortlisted to design the replacement for New York’s World Trade Centre. “Our London studio welcomes this challenge,” said Vinoly.

“We hope that we can introduce some of the philosophies we have developed on similar projects in the US, and look forward to learning from the Leicester Performing Arts Centre team, whose inspired mission of integrating practice and process is very close to our design ethos in the way we work as architects.”

The outline planning application for the centre is now out for public consultation. Work is scheduled to begin in April 2004 with a target of opening to the public in 2006. Details: www.leicester.gov.uk