The Royal Armouries museum in Leeds has appointed the architecture and design practice BDP to lead the next stages of its £100m waterfront expansion.
BDP will take the Waterfront Development project forward, which will include new conferencing, cultural, events, hospitality and leisure spaces at the museum's Leeds Dock site.
The museum announced the development last year, after purchasing the land it operates on for £11.69m. The project is expected to bring new economic opportunities to the region.
BDP will lead the next design stages of the Royal Armouries Museum’s £100m waterfront expansionBDP
BDP was selected through a competitive process involving several of the UK’s leading architectural practices, having previously worked on the project’s initial masterplanning.
The development will centre on a new 3,500-square-metre exhibition and events hall, more than doubling the existing facilities to provide over 8,000 square metres of conference and events space.
The plans also include a purpose-built venue for immersive experiences, with the museum and existing conference facilities remaining open during construction.
Nat Edwards, director general of The Royal Armouries Museum, said: "Finding the right design partner for this project is a crucial step forward towards delivering a development that’s going to help transform the South Bank of Leeds and bring new jobs and new opportunities for a lot of people.
The Royal Armouries Waterfront Development will include new spaces for conferences, exhibitions and immersive experiences Royal Armouries
"I’m confident that BDP get the Royal Armouries, they get Leeds Dock and they get what the project means for the city. I’m really looking forward to working with them.”
The development will be built on the existing Tiltyard site, which is home to the museum’s outdoor jousting arena and is expected to provide improved facilities for the attraction.
The project is in the final stages of options appraisal, with a planning application due to be submitted to the local authority in 2027.
Vicky Casey, head of BDP's Leeds studio, said: "The project gives us an opportunity to create a new destination on the waterfront and at its heart is a simple idea - to bring people together through new creative experiences, live interpretation, and the exchange of ideas.
"This appointment means a huge amount to BDP and we are immensely proud to be part of the next chapter for this incredible venue."
