Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, Bournemouth

The team selected for the estimated £359,000 contract will deliver an upgrade of the landmark John Fogarty-designed Grade II*-listed building which holds 40,000 artworks and is located on the East Cliff overlooking Bournemouth town centre.

The project, planned to complete in 2028, will refurbish and upgrade the historic complex which was originally constructed as a private house before becoming a public art gallery but has seen little investment since 1999 despite its exposed coastal location facing the sea.

According to the brief: ‘Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum (RCAGM) is a Grade II*-listed building, located on the East Cliff of Bournemouth and housing an internationally important collection of 40,000 items of Victorian fine and decorative art and world cultures, much on open display.

‘This procurement is to obtain the professional services of a suitably qualified conservation accredited specialist (architect, chartered surveyor or chartered architectural technologist to lead a team of specialist consultants from RIBA Stage 4 (Technical Design) to Stage 6 (Handover).

‘The successful Bidder will be expected to commence the works April 2025. The Successful Bidder will be required to ensure the works are completed by March 2028.’

The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum was originally constructed as a house and private gallery in 1894 and was gifted to the local council in 1908. The complex is subject to extreme climatic conditions and is need of repair.

The latest procurement comes two years after Burrell Foley Fischer won a competition for a ‘landmark’ new £3 million-to-£3.5 million beach pavilion in Sandbanks nearby.

Bids for the latest commission will be evaluated 60 per cent on quality and 40 per cent on price. Applicants must hold employer’s liability insurance of £5 million, public liability insurance of £5 million and professional indemnity insurance of £5 million.