The new building re-orientates the theatre at ground level, forming a new public front to a formerly blank side of the theatre, giving the Lyric the major street presence it has wanted and needed since it was built. The new addition's transparency counterpoints the "fortress like" quality of the existing building. Clearly and distinctively illuminated at night, the activities of the building are made visible, forming a public forum for the Lyric and a central feature of the new Lyric Square, drawing the whole community into the theatre.

The new Lyric Square commissioned by the theatre's longstanding partner, the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, designed by Gross Max Landscape Architects in consultation with RMA, is currently under construction and is due to be completed towards the end of 2004.

The scheme is the first phase of a masterplan developed by RMA with the Lyric for the whole site.

The Lyric Theatre in Hammersmith was originally built in 1895. In the 1970's the theatre was incorporated into the much wider Kings Mall development for the whole area, including residential, retail and office spaces. The original building was demolished but the Frank Matcham theatre interior was reconstructed within the new concrete structure. The existing entrance to the theatre is a narrow shop front on King Street giving the Lyric an insignificant street level entrance.