I have just watched the video illustrating the progress of the new theatre building.
The progress is well documented via photographs displayed in the Gallery section of the RST website too. I sat on the pavement by Waterside in Stratford a couple of years ago now, looking at the building site that was then the Memorial Theatre. Tears filled my eyes.
I thought of the plays I had seen and the actors who had been seen early in their careers and who where now world class names. The meals in the cafe and searching for tickets.
Travelling from Newcastle to Straftford is not always easy, but the pleasure of seeing a Shakepeare play give great motivation. I enjoyed the tours of the theatre and seeing backstage and all of the costumes and sets. I have toured the National Theatre the Old Vic, icons in their own right. But the special ethos of the RST lingers.
I received the CD showing what was to be the new theatre with Michael Wood telling the story. Now there is this superb website with all this information on how, what and why the new theatre is constructed. And the idea of encouraging patrons to submit artwork to be displayed in part of the new building is maintaining the idea that Shakespeare should bring people together to participate in a community who love the work of the Bard.
RSC Friends 
It sounds like you were really sad to see the demise of the Memorial Theatre. Having only begun again two years ago in earnest to go to the theatre, at the end of the early child-rearing years, we have fallen in love with the The Courtyard and will very much regret its passing into history as a much loved, useful space, but one which has fulfilled its purpose.