GB-Cornwall: Construction Project Manager and Contract Administrator

On behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Tate Gallery, we are looking to appoint a suitably qualified Construction Project Manager and Contract Administrator to support the redevelopment of the Palais de Danse in St Ives Cornwall.

Constructed on the site of an old naval school, the Palais de Danse is one of the most unique spaces in the heart of St Ives. Formerly a cinema and dance hall, the Palais was also an important hub for community events during the Second World War and beyond. The building was bought by Barbara Hepworth in 1961 to use as her second studio. This gave her the space to create larger and more complex sculptures, including the monumental Single Form (1961-4) commissioned for the United Nations in New York. Located directly opposite Trewyn Studio - now the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden - the Palais was gifted to Tate by the Hepworth Estate in 2015 and was awarded Grade II listed status in 2020. Together, these buildings housed the entire scope of Hepworth's creative work from 1949-1975.

The Palais de Danse is both deeply rooted in community memory and central to Hepworth's artistic legacy worldwide. Having remained untouched since Hepworth's death in 1975, Tate St Ives is now embarking on a major capital project to renovate this significant building with Adam Khan Architects. The changes will introduce substantive improvement to the fabric of the building to support visitor access across all levels of the building, facilities and a visitor welcome, and expand the story around Hepworth's artistic legacy, the importance of the PDD for the community, and the potential for contemporary making and artistic practice, supported by a new artist residency.

The project will uncover the Palais's rich history, realise its immense potential for the community and continue its story by securing the building for the long term.

A design team has been appointed and we have an indicative design which responds to Tate's brief. The team are currently in Stage 3 and preparing for formal planning submission and our delivery phase of the NHLF application, following a successful first round of funding in 2023.

We anticipate opening the Palais to the public in Q3 2026 with main construction completed in Q2 of the same year.

Additional information: The contracting authority considers that this contract may be suitable for economic operators that are small or medium enterprises (SMEs). However, any selection of tenderers will be based solely on the criteria set out for the procurement.