McManus Refurbishment

Printer-friendly version

The McManus was built on former marshland, immediately north of the old city walls of Dundee, and over the years the building has been beset by problems. However, an extensive renovation programme brought the facility, opened in 1867 into the 21st century and provided a platform for a greatly improved visitor experience and a 'must see' attraction in the heart of the City. The restoration took place between 2006 and 2009, and the 'revitalised' McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery and Museum re-opened to the public on Sunday 28 February 2010.

This image gallery gives a flavour of the extensive works that took place to create the new McManus and make it the art gallery and museum you see today, which included:

• a new retail area and cafe with an outdoor terrace
• a new south entrance off a newly pedestrianised Meadowside
• beautiful open gallery spaces with state-of-the-art displays and interactives
• a new top-lit atrium, with a lift and a spectacular staircase
• a Creative Learning Suite, with the latest equipment for workshops and classes
• the complete renewal of heating, lighting, ventilation and electrical fixtures
• the underpinning of the building to provide stable foundations
• the repair and repointing of all stonework
• the reslating of all roofs and turrets
• the restoration of the leadwork on the finials which are a defining feature of the architecture of the building

This restoration was funded by Dundee City Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the European Union and Historic Scotland, with additional contributions from The McManus Fundraising Appeal. The design team was led by Dundee City Council and the appointed architects were Page and Park, Glasgow. The display design was undertaken by Campbell and Co., Edinburgh. The appointed heritage consultants were ABL Cultural Consulting, London.