The Box, Plymouth lays its Foundation Stone - Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery

By: Jo Clarke
Added: 09 March 2018

The team behind the development of Plymouth’s exciting new cultural and heritage attraction has celebrated another milestone for the project today.

The foundation stone for The Box, Plymouth was laid in a special ceremony attended by representatives from Plymouth City Council, construction firm Willmott Dixon and other key partners and stakeholders.

The stone was unveiled by Councillor Ian Bowyer, Leader and Councillor Tudor Evans, Shadow Leader on Tavistock Place. Although currently part of the main construction site, this area will eventually form part of a public piazza which leads to the venue’s main entrance.

Plymouth City Council Leader, Ian Bowyer said: “We’re back again with yet another key moment for this exciting project which is really set to transform the city’s cultural and heritage offer. So much has happened on site since we were here just over a year ago for our ground breaking ceremony. It’s fantastic to see exactly how much progress is being made.”

Since breaking ground, enabling and demolition works have been completed at The Box site and construction on two extensions has started – one to the former Central Library and Museum buildings and one next to St Luke's Church.

Behind the scenes, designs and scripts for the new galleries that will feature in The Box, and plans for the ambitious exhibitions and events programme it will offer, are well under way.

Councillor Glenn Jordan, Cabinet Member for Culture said: “Today’s foundation stone ceremony is another proud moment for this fantastic scheme. It’s also a great indication that we are well on our way to creating a first rate visitor experience that will put Plymouth on the map, and form a key part of the city’s Mayflower 400 commemorations when it opens in 2020.”

Led by Plymouth City Council, The Box is a partnership with the University of Plymouth, the South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA), SWIB (part of the Plymouth Barbican Trust) and the National Museum of the Royal Navy. The multi-million pound project has secured major funding from the City Council, Heritage Lottery Fund, Arts Council England, Coastal Communities Fund, Garfield Weston Foundation, University of Plymouth, Wolfson Foundation, Interreg and British Film Institute.

John Boughton, Deputy Managing Director, Willmott Dixon said: Work is progressing very well on The Box and we are looking forward to the next phase of construction, marked by the laying of its Foundation Stone today. This is an exciting and important building for Plymouth’s future and we are proud to be part of its transformation.”

To stay up to date with The Box visit www.theboxplymouth.com, sign up for the newsletter or follow the project on Facebook and Twitter using @theboxplymouth