The East Wing

The Gallery's East Wing has recently been the site of a major redevelopment project.

The project began in 2003, when the Gallery embarked on the first stage of its East Wing development, and culminated with the reopening of the Main Portico Entrance on Trafalgar Square in September 2005.

Designed by architects Dixon Jones, the East Wing development is the first step towards a wider plan to improve visitor facilities for the Gallery as a whole.

The first stage of work saw the opening of the Sir Paul Getty Entrance, which made the main building accessible to the public at street level directly from Trafalgar Square for the first time.

Adjacent to the Sir Paul Getty Entrance are the new café and Gallery shop and straight ahead is the Walter and Leonore Annenberg Court.

From here the visitor is directed to Level 2 of the Gallery and the collection. The project also provided increased picture-hanging space by reinstating Central Hall as a gallery.

The second stage involved the redevelopment of the Main Entrance Hall and restoration of the original 19th-century J. D. Crace ceiling decoration in the Staircase Hall.

Enhanced access to the collection through the portico is complemented by new and improved visitor facilities, including a new multimedia area and espresso bar.