Theatre owner Scottish Opera have secured a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund of £850,000 as designs by award-winning Glasgow-based architects Page\Park were unveiled.

General Director of Scottish Opera, Alex Reedijk said: “Our vision is to open up the theatre to become a social hub – somewhere people can gather with friends for great coffee during the day, enjoy outstanding performances, learn about the performing arts, and discover the wonderful heritage of this beautiful theatre.”

Work will involve construction of a dramatic new entrance on the corner of Cowcaddens Road and Hope Street which will provide spacious foyers and accommodate new bars, box office, cloakrooms, toilet facilities and hospitality suites.

The new building will include lifts for the first time and boast a new roof garden.

The lottery cash means 85% of the funds required for the project have already been raised and work will start later this year and be finished by July 2014.

The Scottish Government has committed capital funding of £3.96m to the development alongside funding from Creative Scotland, Glasgow City Council and an array of Scottish and UK trusts and foundations.

A public fundraising campaign to raise the remaining cash will begin later this year.

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “This is a major step forward in the redevelopment of the Theatre Royal in time for the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

“This project will create a world-class venue in which to showcase Scotland’s globally-renowned culture and creativity as well as a lasting legacy for the city of Glasgow and the whole nation.”

The construction programme will last approximately 18 months but the theatre will close only for a three month period in early 2014.