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Oldest museum in Mumbai to get new building

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One of the oldest museums in the country is all set to get a new building. In three months time, work on a building which will come up towards the north of exising Bhau Daji Lad museum at Byculla zoo premises will begin. Design for the same has been finalised and a New York-based firm has been roped in for the Rs 275 crore-project expected to be completed in three and half years.

The new building, expected to be a blend of art and contemporary style of architecture, will house a museum, exhibition hall, interpretation centre, art gallery, library, conference hall and also a cafe. A permanent gallery to showcase Mumbai, milestones in its development and its cultural fabric is also on the anvil.

To be constructed on public private partnership (PPP) model, design for the building was selected after seeking expression of interest globally, in a first such initiative for a public structure in the city.

Civic chief Sitaram Kunte, co-chairman trustee of the museum, declared Steven Holl Architects as the winner out of the total 104 expression of interest received. Steven Holl Architects which will work along with city-based Opolis Architects. They have projects like Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art in Helsinki, the Herning Museum of Contemporary Art in Denmark and Nelson Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas to their credit.

"We have started arranging funds for the same. We have received good response in this regard," said Tasneem Mehta, managing trustee and honorary director of the museum.

"This museum is one of the oldest such facility in the country. We are happy that it will now have a world class addition," he added.

About Bhau Daji Lad Museum

It was built in 1872 as the erstwhile Victoria and Albert Museum. Its collection display decorative arts of country and the life and history of Mumbai in the 19th century. It was revamped in 2007, for which the civic body had signed a tripartite agreement with INTACH and the Jamanalal Bajaj Foundation to set up 'Bhau Daji Lad Trust' for upgrading the structure. According to rough estimates, around 1.5 lakh persons visit the museum in a year.

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