NML looks to progress Hartley Pavilion overhaul
Having secured consent in 2024 to redevelop listed buildings for maritime and slavery-focused facilities, National Museums Liverpool now needs a fresh approval for enabling works that will underpin the Hartley Pavilion’s rebirth.
NML’s over-arching project is the redevelopment of the International Slavery Museum and Maritime Museum at the Royal Albert Dock.
The former is to be housed in an overhauled Dr Martin Luther King Building, the latter in the Hartley Pavilion, with a new link building in between.
Conservation architecture specialist Donald Insall Associates and The Planning Lab are the critical advisors to NML on this element of the “Two Museums, One Vision. Transforming the International Slavery Museum and Maritime Museum” project.
Planning permission and listed building consents were given in October 2024 for the £58m scheme at the Royal Albert Dock.
Works are to include a new entrance pavilion, glazed roof lantern and pedestrian link bridge between the buildings, new and upgraded entrance vestibules, replacement glazing, new rooflights, and reconfigured rooftop plant areas with new external plant.
Also included are internal changes to both buildings which will underpin the enhancement of exhibition spaces and visitor facilities through new entrances, circulation routes, partitions, and associated works.
To enable the approved works, NML said interim enabling works at the Hartley Pavilion are required that were not captured in the 2024 consent, or in earlier plans.
These have been discussed in a site visit with planning officers in January, with the outcome being that separate listed building consents for works are required at each building.
The Planning Lab’s cover letter for the Hartley Pavilion works sets out the parameters for a package of works to include:
- Removal of non-loadbearing partitions and glazed screens
- Removal of internal joinery including doors, linings, architraves and skirtings, along with modern floor finishes and suspended ceilings
- Removal of modern concrete stair between ground floor lobby and basement and reinstatement of masonry vaulted soffit and floor structure to match adjacent bays
- Removal of all set works (except where identified for retention)
- Removal of existing sanitaryware and removal of all M&E services and equipment in preparation for future phases of refurbishment and re-servicing works
- Limited investigative works
FCB Studios is the main architect for the museums scheme, building on work started by the previous studio attached to the project, Adjaye Associates.
Planning documents relating to the fresh LBC application can be found on Liverpool City Council’s planning portal, with the reference 26L/0677.
