The new face of Tate Britain

Associated media

From today, 19 November, a remarkable new face of Tate Britain is on show to the public. Architect partnership Caruso St John have transformed the 'Grade II Starred'  oldest part of Tate from a rather tired interior space at the Millbank main entrance into a stunning architectural re-interpretation of the original building, whilst keeping all the original features of the late-19th-century building. For the Rotunda (where the information desk used to be), there is now a spectacular spiral staircase, which leads down to the lower ground floor and a new café, archive rooms and educational centre, plus the Rex Whistler* restaurant refurbished.  

A design re-think on how best to use the first floor balcony circling the Rotunda’s domed atrium – closed since the 1920s to house the Director’s office, the library and storerooms –  has opened up the space to accommodate an elegant café and bar for the use of Tate Members, and a Grand Saloon – an elegant meeting room for seminars and events.  

Reporting: Rosalind Ormiston. A fuller account will be published in December’s Cassone.

*The Rex Whistler restaurant is named after British artist Rex Whistler, whose murals decorate the room.  A book on Rex Whistler’s art and life was reviewed in October’s Cassone.

Earlier this year, a major rehang sponsored by BP changed and revitalized the way art is presented in Tate Britain - read about it in our August issue.