The Tate has submitted a planning application to Westminster City Council to revamp its original Tate Britain gallery at Pimlico in London.

The £45 million plan, by Caruso St John, will involve upgrading its galleries, remodelling and renovating visitor areas – opening up the domed atrium at the heart of the gallery – and creating learning studios and public spaces.

Gallery floors are being reinforced to hold larger sculptural works while the circular balcony of the Rotunda dome, closed to visitors since the 1920s, is being reopened as a new area for Tate members.

Half of the £45 million required to carry out the work, which also includes building a new café at ground floor level leading onto an external terrace, has been raised so far.

Caruso St John has been working on the scheme since 2007.

Construction at Tate Britain is expected to begin in March 2011 and is scheduled to finish in 2013.

Visitor figures to Tate Britain have risen by over 60% over the past 10 years, the Tate said.

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