Concept art for reimagined Tate Liverpool © 6a architects
Tate Liverpool is 35 years old. That might not seem very old, but since we opened our doors in 1988, the experiences our visitors want to have and the kind of work artists want to make, have both changed significantly.
We want to make a future-facing Tate Liverpool that better serves the people of the Liverpool City Region and our Members; a gallery that continues to encourage visits to our superb city from far and wide. Visitors can still expect to see the national collection of modern and contemporary art alongside the very best international art, but in refreshed and more inviting spaces that can hold newer and larger art works.
Our new Art Hall will provide an exciting place to hang out. Sit, relax, sketch, take photos, do a bit of work, read, listen to a podcast or enjoy a long overdue catch up with a friend. Whatever you do in the Art Hall, you will always be surrounded by world-class art in an incredible space that returns our ground floor back to its original double height.
Concept art for reimagined Tate Liverpool © 6a architects
Our re-imagined building will have more versatile spaces for exciting events - providing more opportunities for people to get creative. We’ll have improved facilities for visiting families, schools and community groups, placing them at the heart of our gallery.
We will improve the visitor experience within our building by creating more opportunities to see the outside, inside by uncovering more of our windows as the city of Liverpool and its historic waterfront will continue to inspire the art we display.
Sustainability
The climate emergency is one of the greatest challenges of our time and Tate is committed to continue working towards increasing sustainability, protecting the environment and becoming one of the world’s most sustainable art institutions.
Central to re-imagining Tate Liverpool will be a significant improvement of our gallery’s environmental standards and thermal performance. New services will replace fossil fuel with renewables and natural ventilation will be introduced to the building to ensure better energy performance.
Heritage
The design will sensitively reveal more of the former Victorian warehouse through features such as the new open plan ground floor and uncovering windows, to celebrate the world-class heritage of our 180-year-old home. Key themes from the Stirling Wilford scheme created in the 1980s will be retained.
Meet The Architects - 6a
6a architects was founded by Tom Emerson and Stephanie Macdonald in 2001. The practice has gained an international reputation for the innovative re-use of existing buildings for cultural and educational projects, especially in sensitive historical environments. It has completed several public galleries which have garnered support from critics, artists and visitors alike including Raven Row (2009), South London Gallery (2010-18) and MK Gallery in Milton Keynes (2019).
Where can I find Tate Liverpool during redevelopment?
Tate Liverpool + RIBA North exterior © Tate (Brian Roberts)
While our building at the Royal Albert Dock is closed for improvement, Tate Liverpool will move into the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) North, Mann Island from 27 October 2023. This is approximately 425m from our gallery.
Our space at Mann Island is much smaller than our Royal Albert Dock home. Expect to see a smaller programme of exhibitions alongside family activities, talks, tours and creative workshops. All activity will focus on art, architecture and ecology. Visitors can still enjoy high-quality food, drinks and gifts as our gallery shop and café are open and ready to welcome visitors.
All Tate Liverpool staff previously based at the Royal Albert Dock will move to RIBA North.
RIBA North,
21 Mann Island,
Liverpool Waterfront,
Liverpool, L3 1BP
Funding
Funding for the £29.7 million project has come from the UK Government, including £10m from the Levelling Up Fund, as part of a successful combined £20m bid with National Museums Liverpool, and £6.6m from the DCMS Public Bodies Infrastructure Fund. The Wolfson Foundation has provided a grant of £1.25m and The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority also awarded funding for the developmental phase of the project via its Strategic Investment Fund.
