The Serpentine Gallery has outbid two other competitors for the rights to convert a heritage-protected building in Kensington Gardens into a new gallery space, it was announced in London on Nov 1.
The move will almost double the Serpentine’s current area, adding an additional 880-sqm of exhibition and social space. Architect Zaha Hadid is on board to direct the renovation of the building – a former munitions depot that dates to the 18th century – and will also design a new pavilion that will host an annual light installation. Made possible by a substantial donation to the Serpentine by the Dr Mortimer and Theresa Sackler Foundation, the annex will be named the Serpentine Sackler Gallery. Although a specific figure was not made public, Serpentine representatives said that the donation was the largest in the institution’s history. Admission to the new gallery, expected to be completed in time for the 2012 London Olympics, will be free.
The Royal Parks Foundation chose the Serpentine, itself located in Kensington Gardens, over competing bids from the artist Damien Hirst and the Halcyon Gallery, a commercial enterprise dealing in secondary and contemporary art.