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First picture of new £35m Maritime Museum extension
Evening Standard22.09.08
This image shows the £35 million wing planned for the National Maritime Museum.
Due for completion in time for the 2012 Olympics, museum chiefs hope the project will breathe new life into the Greenwich institution.
The development has been made possible by a £20 million gift from Israeli shipping magnate Sammy Ofer.
The self-made billionaire, who served in the Royal Navy in the Mediterranean during the Second World War, has also donated £3.3 million towards the restoration of the fire-ravaged Cutty Sark.
The centrepiece of the new wing - to be named in his honour - will be an 800 square metre exhibition space.
Visitors to the new wing will be able to research their family histories in a new reading room and historic documents will be stored there.
Other proposed facilities include learning areas, a shop and a café and restaurant with terraces overlooking Greenwich Park. The project will also create a new south entrance to the museum from the park. The design has been drawn up by architects C F Moller.
Reader views (3)
What is wrong with this country?It seems its been overrun by moaners and whingers like Stephen!Bloody depressing!
I think these kind of people should go away and educate themselves about Londons history ; throughout centuries Londons buildings been demolished and replaced with new ones renovated and refurbished this is what London is all about - CHANGE but moaners just cant understand this they want London to stand still and rot away.
Moaners harm London not glass buildings!
- Eric, London
I read stephen's comment with incredulity. Someone who is not even British has donated £35 million to build a new museum, and the first comment is from a whinger. Amazing.
We should be thankful that there are people in the world who want to donate to the UK. It just feels appalling that there is no one in Britain who want to donate in this way.
- Tony, london, uk
Isn't it time the Maritime Museum moved? It's glass roof already spoils the beauty of the building cluster, won't this do even more harm?
- Stephen, london
