Gilbert-Ash lands £30m Tate Liverpool revamp

Work will start in the new year on the reimagining of the grade one-listed gallery, focusing on improved access, updated exhibitions, and revealing more of the building’s Victorian heritage.

Northern Ireland-based Gilbert-Ash has been appointed as the main contractor for the transformation of the Tate Liverpool at Royal Albert Dock, a project that is expected to take 17 months to complete.

Gilbert-Ash will carry out a range of refurbishment and new-build works, including the creation of a double-height public art hall to accommodate larger works and mimic the 1846 warehouse’s original open plan design.

A suite of ‘riverside rooms’ will also be built to provide improved orientation, a café, and learning and events spaces with enhanced panoramic views of the River Mersey.

Meanwhile, existing galleries will be updated and the Tate’s original façade reimagined to increase its visibility on the docks and connect more with its surroundings.

In terms of sustainability, the building’s environmental performance will be improved with the fossil fuels to be swapped with renewable energy sources and natural ventilation.

The £29.7m project has been funded by £10m from the government’s Levelling Up Fund, in addition to £6.6m from the DCMS Estates Maintenance Fund.

Early development was funded through the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s Strategic Investment Fund.

6a Architects was appointed last May to draw up the plans for the scheme, one year before Tate Liverpool revealed its initial vision for the project.

Tate then began its contractor search in June, before submitting its final application to the city council in August and the final approval in October.

Emma King, capital director of Tate, said: “Gilbert-Ash’s track record of working to the highest standards on both cultural and heritage buildings makes them the perfect contractors to deliver the reimagined Tate Liverpool.”

Raymond Gilroy, construction director at Gilbert-Ash, described the redevelopment as “another unique project” to add to the firm’s portfolio in the cultural, arts, and heritage sector.

“The team is already in place finalising plans to deal with the many logistical and technical challenges that lie ahead, in advance of a start on site in early 2024”, he added.

The Planning Lab is the scheme’s planning consultant. Also on the project team is Buro Happold, Velocity Transport, Ritchie+Duffin, and NoiseAir. Arcadis is the project manager.

More about the redevelopment can be found by searching for application number 23F/1976 on Liverpool City Council’s planning portal.