BAM Construction has been selected to redevelop Perth City Hall.

The company will restore the Grade B-listed building on behalf of the local authority as part of its bid to make Perth UK City of Culture 2021.

Features include a new 1,500 m² flexible exhibition hall that can accommodate displays of differing content and scale. It will not only be a home to permanent collections of local archaeology and social history, but will also be able to host touring exhibitions. The wider plans include a 150m² learning suite, 250m² collections handling area and up to 275m² of commercial visitor facilities including a café and retail area.

Five architects have been short-listed for the project following an RIAS led design competition and include Austin-Smith: Lord, Hoskins Architects, LDN, Mecanoo and Richard Murphy Architects.

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Bruce Dickson, Regional Director, BAM Construction said: "Having already been appointed on the refurbishment of Perth Museum and Art Gallery, we are absolutely delighted to be given the opportunity to work with hub East Central Scotland and Perth and Kinross Council on the City Hall. It's fair to say that, once completed, these two buildings will transform the city's arts and culture scene while at the same time retaining the links to the city's rich heritage."

The council's Deputy Chief Executive, Jim Valentine, added: "We're delighted to be working with BAM on this prestigious project. Having an experienced and knowledgeable contractor on board will help the transformation of Perth City Hall run smoothly over the coming years. This is an exciting stage in the project as we look to finalise the architectural firm which will develop the final designs and the concept of a new cultural attraction really starts to take shape."

Gary Bushnell, Chief Executive of procurement partner hub East Central Scotland, said: "We are working closely with BAM and look forward to managing the project to successful completion, creating a unique new home for the museum and gallery."

(LM)