NML opens £45.6m tender for twin museum revamps

National Museums Liverpool will appoint a contractor to lead the overhaul of the Hartley Pavilion and Dr Martin Luther King Jr Building, providing upgraded settings for the Maritime Museum and International Slavery Museum.

According to the tender, the aim is for a work programme to start from this August, lasting around two years. The work calls for the remodelling, refurbishment and redevelopment of the two buildings, both critical elements of the Royal Albert Dock’s appeal.

Both the buildings are grade one-listed. Last month, Place reported how a fresh listed building consent is required for enabling works at the Hartley Pavilion.

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. Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios in the lead project architect, working with the University of Liverpool.

Consented in 2024, works on the over-arching project 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 in the scheme 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.

According to the tender document, soft strip works are already complete at the 15,700 sq ft MLK building. The Hartley Pavilion is much larger, coming in at 120,655 sq ft.

Again, soft strip works have been carried out. This part of the project includes fit-out of a new restaurant and commercial kitchen, along with event spaces and a lecture theatre.

NML is procuring the project directly.