Companies are being invited to be part of a major maritime and regeneration project in Hull.
Businesses will have the opportunity to submit tenders to embark on an extensive refurbishment of one of the most stunning buildings in the city, the Hull Maritime Museum, and the Dock Office Chambers forming part of the continued regeneration of Hull city centre.
The revamp of the Hull Maritime Museum will reveal more of its original architecture, create new and improved visitor facilities and the second floor of the building will open to the public as well as access to on the building’s domes. This major refurbishment will also create an interactive and engaging museum, improving the visitor experience for everyone.
Plans also include a new and welcoming three storey foyer that will draw people into the heart of the building and central core, providing a visually stunning and thematic introduction to the galleries beyond. This will be created by reopening up the original light well that helped to illuminate the Victorian dock offices. New viewing balconies in this central area will help visitors to orientate themselves within the new galleries and enjoy the splendours of the original architecture like never before.
The Hull: Yorkshire’s Maritime City project, funded by Hull City Council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, is a key cultural regeneration scheme in the heart of Hull’s city centre that will protect and celebrate 800 years of Hull’s maritime heritage.
Councillor Daren Hale, portfolio holder for economic investment, regeneration, planning, land and property, said: “This is a key milestone in the project as we move forward with another exciting regeneration project in the city. The transformation of key maritime treasures will have a considerable impact on the city centre, its economy as well as attracting additional visitors.
“This significant investment to the much-loved and well known museum and former dock offices will give the city a world-class museum it deserves, right in the heart of its city centre.”
Prior to works starting, 50,000 objects will need to be carefully packed and moved from the museum. The refurbishment is expected to take 18 months to complete, and then the task to install the new displays and exhibitions will get underway, which is expected to take approximately a year to complete. The museum is expected to reopen in early 2024.
The tender documents are available here, and the deadline is Monday 28 September.
The significant investment will see exciting changes at the Grade II* Hull Maritime Museum, the Dock Office Chambers, the North End Shipyard and two historic vessels, the Arctic Corsair and Spurn Lightship.
