For the many Canadian and American tourists who flock to London each year, the British Museum's planned 'biggest ever' refurbishment promises a refreshed experience.
The arrival of the Bayeux Tapestry from France may have stolen the show at the British Museum this summer, but behind the scenes the wheels are turning on the London landmark's major transformation.
The museum attracts roughly one in five of its six million annual visitors from North America, making the upgrade relevant for travellers from Canada and the United States.
Canadian and US museums have undertaken similar large‑scale renovations, such as the Smithsonian's recent expansion, highlighting a shared focus on modernising cultural institutions.
Travel agencies in Toronto and New York are already promoting the upcoming changes as a new draw for cultural tourism.
Last month the museum put out to tender over £1 million in security, IT and logistics contracts attached to the third phase of its redevelopment masterplan, a drop in the ocean for a project set to deliver a "complete reimagining" of a third of the gallery's floor space.
Housing the site's "greatest objects from ancient Greece, ancient Egypt, Rome, Assyria and the Middle East", the revamp of the Western Range is poised to install state‑of‑the‑art storage facilities and introduce "engaging" modern architecture to the buildings. The museum's directors have tipped the scheme to be the "biggest cultural renovation" of its kind in the world.
First opened to the public in 1759, the current building was designed by Sir Robert Smirke in 1823 and completed in 1852. The building's colonnade is held up by 43 columns inspired by ancient Ionian ruins in Athens and Priene, and is probably Britain's most famous example of the Greek Revival style. Today, the Grade I listed museum attracts six million visitors a year and is home to artefacts like the Rosetta Stone and the Parthenon sculptures.
Design and Funding
In February 2025, designs for the Western Range's renovation from renowned Lebanese architect Lina Ghotmeh won out among stiff international competition. Official design work began in June 2025, and is expected to be finished later this year.
In March, Camden Council approved controversial plans for new Welcome Pavilions, including security admission buildings, which are set to open in 2027.
The financing for the entire masterplan has not yet been sewn up, but comes from a combination of government and charity grants, sponsorship deals and private fundraising.
Donors like the Maughan Family have established a dedicated fund for the Western Range alone. The UK government has committed direct capital support to the new Energy Centre, while providing at least £80 million in revenue and capital for the museum's general budget in 2025/26.
In 2025 the museum held its inaugural Pink Ball, where the museum raised a gross total of £2.5 million. Roughly £1.6 million was generated from 800 privately sold, invite‑only tickets. Guests included Sir Mick Jagger, the Mayor of London, Maya Jama and Dame Tracey Emin. The remaining funds came from a silent auction and private auction.
A further £10.3 million pledge from the grant‑giving charity Garfield Weston Foundation was announced at the event, and will be used towards the new Welcome Pavilions at the North and South Entrances. Meanwhile, construction contracts for the Energy Centre Programme, beginning in 2024, were valued at £33 million.
Public Reaction and Controversy
The museum has invited criticism from climate groups after it accepted £50 million from BP towards the development. At last year's Pink Ball, Chair of Trustees George Osborne was notably confronted by a worker over the sponsorship, which has bestowed the oil company's name on a lecture theatre.
According to the museum's annual report and accounts, the funding for the Western Range programme is yet to be fully secured. As of March 31, 2026, the designated masterplan fund stands at £16 million but the delivery of phase three is "dependent on the ability of the museum to raise sufficient funds".
The museum says it is progressing with its fundraising campaign to support the concept design and development stages, though these were initially due to be unveiled by mid‑2026. A second fundraising ball will take place on October 17, 2026, with tickets this time priced at £3,500 per head.