The riverside entrance has reopened and you can enter the gallery by climbing up the Millbank-facing steps. The changes to the building restore the historical sense of the building, from when it first opened back in 1897. The grand portico entranceway combines new architectural features alongside the excavation of the beautiful original elements.
The rest of the budget was spent on my favourite part: the spiral staircase. Hoping to find some incredible details that could influence designs for my current residential project, I got snap happy.
I love the contrasting materials with shinny polished chrome details that have been used to create the striking balustrade. This is a detail that I’ll be keeping in mind when designing elaborate armoires for the master suite of my current project.
The polished marble staircase sits beneath a stunning domed rotunda. The dramatic staircase has impressive details. The circular balcony of the rotunda’s domed atrium is incredible and surprisingly has been closed to visitors since the 1920s.
The cut out detail has clear perspex backing in the bottom layers, but the top section is hollow. I had to stick my hand in just to check.
Strolling up the stairs feels like the glamourous setting of a Great Gatsby party.
I wandered through various different galleries, admiring the sculptures, paintings and installations.
