Tate Liverpool reveals first stage of 'reimagining' work as reopening date postponed

Tate Liverpool has completed the first phase of its building’s multi-million-pound ‘major reimagining’ – but it’s also been revealed this week its reopening date has been pushed back by up to two years.

The Royal Albert Dock gallery, which closed in autumn 2023, was originally expected to open its doors to visitors again sometime this year following the completion of the £29.7m transformation project, designed by 6a architects.

That date has now slipped back to 2027, with the organisation also confirming it is still in the process of raising 25% of the projected costs.

A Tate Liverpool spokesman said today: “Construction will be complete in 2026, and we plan to reopen in 2027. An exact reopening date will be announced closer to the time.”

As part of the first phase, contractors Gilbert Ash have stripped out the building’s aged infrastructure and revealed more of the 179-year-old warehouse’s character, stripping back its barrel vaulted interiors to their brick walls, uncovering windows on the river side to let in more light and removing the existing stairs and visitor lifts in preparation for re-siting them.

The next phase of the work includes establishing a new art hall on the ground floor, while gallery spaces over a further three floors will be reorientated to give new panoramic views of the Mersey. A new Tate café will be moved to a new home on the first floor, while gas boilers will be decommissioned and the building switched to what is described as ‘an all-electric operation’.

Above: Tate Liverpool director Helen Legg, Tate chairman Roland Rudd, Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram and Tate director Maria Balshaw inside the gallery. Photo by Gareth Jones. Top: The first phase of work has been completed. Photo by James Speakman/PA Media Assignments.

The major project is being funded by £10m from the government’s Levelling Up fund, £6.6m from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, and a £1.25m grant from the Wolfson Foundation.

The outstanding figure is being sought from other charitable foundations and through donations.

Tate Liverpool director Helen Legg said: “We’re delighted to see the new vision for Tate Liverpool beginning to unfold as we reveal more of the Victorian brick walls and open up the former warehouse’s deep spaces and riverside views.

“When visitors return, they will be able to enjoy the amazing atmosphere of this historic building, reconnecting with the heritage and history of the site, while enjoying improved access to the full breadth of the national collection.”

While its Royal Albert Dock home is being regenerated, Tate has moved into RIBA North's building on Mann Island where it is staging exhibitions from its wider collection.