In March 2015, Nuffield Theatre announced that it will be the operating company of the North Building in Southampton’s new arts venue - Studio 144 - in Guildhall Square, which will include a flexible 447 seat main house theatre, a 135 seat studio, screening facilities, rehearsal and workshop spaces, and a café bar and bistro.

The arts complex has come a long way in the year since then and Southampton City Council have recently announced that the new arts complex is to be named Studio 144. The number is the building’s new address on Guildhall Square, and “studio” was designed to evoke its multipurpose identity embracing theatre, visual arts and film – a creative, cohesive, and community space.

Studio 144 will be home to Nuffield, as well as internationally renowned contemporary art gallery, John Hansard Gallery, University of Southampton; and City Eye, Southampton’s inspirational promoter of film/video culture.

This important milestone co-incides with partners Grosvenor having re-opened the pedestrianised walkway that bi-sects the new arts complex and links Guildhall Square to East Park. It is the first time in three years that this part of the public realm, which will be known as Guildhall Place, has been open.

The new public realm was unveiled by Grosvenor, Southampton City Council and tenants of the new complex, which include Nuffield, John Hansard Gallery and City Eye, in a ceremony on Tuesday 22 March.

For up to date information on Studio 144, visit Nuffield's website.