Makeover by Amanda Levete Architects to cost £42m

The £42m project to extend Paisley Museum near Glasgow has been given a funding boost.

The renovation, which has been designed by Amanda Levete’s practice AL_A, has received a £200,000 capital funding pledge of support from The Hugh Fraser Foundation, payable once the project is underway.

The project is in the process of appointing a main contractor to a £21m deal but is looking for financial guarantees given the economic trouble caused by covid-19.

Planners at Renfrewshire council OK’d the plans to overhaul the Grade A-listed building in October 2019 which will allow the museum to more than double the number of objects on display to 1,200.

Improvement work will include a new entrance courtyard and entranceway, along with a new west wing, outdoor garden space and an interactive weaving studio.

The museum is expected to re-open in 2022. Opened in 1871, it was designed by Glasgow architect John Honeyman.