New images show how one of Liverpool’s main art galleries could look after undergoing major development works.
Tate Liverpool, situated at the Albert Dock since 1988, is set to undergo a £29.7 million overhaul which will see a number of its existing spaces redesigned. In March it was confirmed that work is set to begin in the autumn with the gallery closing its doors on Monday October 16 and remaining closed until its reopening in 2025.
With part of the funding for the project coming from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund, the three decade old venue has been working with 6a architects to reimagine its spaces to meet the scale and ambition of today’s most exciting artists. The redesign will also focus on creating new social spaces within the waterfront gallery.
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Since the closure announcement two months ago, Tate Liverpool has now shared the first visualisations of how the building could look following the works. The images, provided by 6a architects, show a new ‘Art Hall’ and entrance to the Royal Albert Dock gallery.
The design has rearranged the previous layout and is said to draw in more sunlight and views across the historic dock site. According to the Tate, the new gallery spaces over three floors showcasing the Tate’s collection will be interspersed with public riverside foyers.
Tate Liverpool also hopes to offer new panoramic views of the River Mersey. The new double height galleries will also expand the types of works the gallery can house.
The plans will look to uncover more of the building’s Victorian heritage while also retaining aspects of the 1980s design. A programme of events held during the building’s closure is set to be announced in the coming weeks.
Helen Legg, Director, Tate Liverpool, said: “We are proud to be the UK’s most visited modern art gallery outside London but, after 35 years, we want to do more to engage new audiences and to reduce the gallery’s impact on the environment. Through this once-in-a-generation renewal of Tate Liverpool we will become an art museum fit for the 21st century, serving the needs of artists and audiences, now and into the future while continuing to play our part in the ongoing evolution of the historic waterfront.”
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said: "Tate Liverpool's regeneration will breathe new life into the gallery, open up access to its collection and improve the visitor experience. It will also bring the history of Liverpool's iconic Albert Dock into the heart of the museum and I'm delighted we have been able to support this project."
Minister for Levelling Up, Dehenna Davison MP said: “Liverpool is renowned across the world for its arts and culture. Just look at how they hosted Eurovision, which not only did the country proud but brought out the best of what the city has to offer to an audience of millions.
“Tate Liverpool itself has been at the forefront of the city’s cultural scene since it opened at the famous Royal Albert Dock, and this major transformation will ensure it remains a focal point for years to come – for both artists and visitors to enjoy.
“We have provided £10 million of Levelling Up Funding to support this project which will strengthen Liverpool’s status as a cultural hub and help us meet our ambition of levelling up the country.”
Stephanie Macdonald, Founding Director at 6a architects, said: “Tate Liverpool is a landmark project of re-use and so much of what we need now to re-imagine the gallery is already there. By uncovering and opening up, we can re-engage the robust materiality and unique waterfront location of Jesse Hartley’s 19th century warehouse. Stirling Wilford’s innovative insertion of a gallery within the walls of the warehouse in the 1980’s is reprised in a new public
“Art Hall and their screens adapted for universal public access and low energy environmental improvement. The resulting series of new dynamic and social spaces across the building will support an arts programme, embedded in the energy and warmth of the city, and make the life of Tate Liverpool and its visitors visible to all along the waterfront.”
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