Work has started on the redevelopment of the Kelvin Hall. This iconic Glasgow building, for many years a sporting and leisure venue and home to the Transport Museum, is being given a new lease of life. A partnership has been formed involving Glasgow Museums, Glasgow Life, the Scottish Screen Archives from the National Library of Scotland and the University of Glasgow.

The Hunterian, with over 1.3 million objects in its collections, is one of the world’s finest university museums. New state of the art facilities at the Kelvin Hall will allow the University of Glasgow to build on its international reputation for collection based research and teaching, allowing much greater access to collections while forging new academic and educational practice.

Kelvin Hall Project

The University will create research and teaching labs and state of the art conservation studios alongside search and seminar rooms, dedicated postgraduate study space, a conference suite and library. Hunterian staff will have new office space within the development while existing public galleries (Museums, Art Gallery and The Mackintosh House) will remain on the University campus in their current locations.

A range of new postgraduate programmes will be developed at Kelvin Hall as well as a public programme offered by students and curators.

An academy for cultural and heritage skills will offer training and continuing professional development to the museum and cultural heritage sectors, nationally and internationally.

Discussions are now underway with our partners with a view to creating new, public exhibition and visual arts spaces at Kelvin Hall in a second phase of development under a Kelvin Hall Phase 2 initiative.

First published: 20 May 2015

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