While closed, the art gallery will take the opportunity to upgrade lighting, air-conditioning and an interior fit-out. This will enable it to maintain international museum standards, a requirement to be able to loan artworks from institutions such as Te Papa. This will be the first time work has been undertaken since 2007 when architects David Mitchell and Julie Stout, converted the 1960s Bank of New Zealand building into an NZIA award-winning design. The current project is being led by architects Warren and Mahoney.
Tauranga City Council General Manager: City Development and Partnerships Gareth Wallis says the upgrade of the art gallery signals another step forward to breathing life back into our city’s heart through what is expected to be one of the biggest investments our city will see and a key cultural, heritage and economic driver for the region. “As one of the first projects underway within the civic precinct, it’s fitting that the art gallery - which has held such a special place in our city centre for nearly two decades - will cement a home for art,” says Gareth.
“The developments for the art gallery have been planned to coincide with the upgrade of the neighbouring Masonic Park, which will see the park transformed into a place where people can stop by and dine and relax or go-between Te Awanui Tauranga Harbour and the civic precinct.”
