Tate Modern first opened its doors on 11 May 2000, transforming the former Bankside Power Station on the River Thames into a global icon for modern and contemporary art. The conversion, which cost £134 million, was designed by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron, who were selected in 1995 to reimagine the industrial building.

Bankside Power Station: An Industrial Cathedral

Before it housed works by Picasso and Warhol, the Tate Modern building was the Bankside Power Station. Designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, the same architect responsible for Battersea Power Station and the classic red telephone box, the building was constructed in two phases between 1947 and 1963. Its single, central chimney stands at 99 metres (325 feet), a height deliberately chosen to be lower than the dome of St Paul's Cathedral just across the river.

The power station was a colossal brick-clad, steel-framed structure, approximately 200 metres long. It was oil-fired and generated electricity for London for decades until rising oil prices and outdated machinery led to its closure in 1981. For years, the building lay derelict, its future uncertain. Many proposals were put forward, but it was the Tate Gallery's announcement in April 1994 that secured its destiny as a new home for international modern art.

Herzog & de Meuron: A Visionary Transformation

In January 1995, Swiss architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron won an international competition to convert the power station. Their design was celebrated for its respect for the original building's raw, industrial character while introducing innovative new elements. Instead of demolishing the structure, they embraced it. The vast Turbine Hall, once home to massive electricity generators, became a dramatic five-storey entrance and a space for large-scale art installations. The former Boiler House was converted into the main galleries.

Key features of the conversion included a two-storey glass extension on the roof, known as the 'light box', which not only provided gallery space but also acted as a beacon on the London skyline. Construction began in June 1995 and was completed in January 2000. The Queen officially opened the gallery on 11 May 2000, and it was an immediate success, attracting 5.25 million visitors in its first year alone—more than double the number of visitors to all other Tate galleries combined in the previous year.

Growth and Expansion: The Blavatnik Building

Tate Modern's popularity far exceeded expectations, leading to a major expansion project to increase its space by 60%. The first phase saw the opening of 'The Tanks' in 2012, the world's first museum galleries permanently dedicated to live art, located in the power station's former underground oil tanks.

The centrepiece of the expansion was a new ten-storey tower, which opened to the public on 17 June 2016. Originally called the Switch House, it was renamed the Blavatnik Building in 2017 after a substantial donation from billionaire Sir Leonard Blavatnik. This angular, brick-clad extension, also designed by Herzog & de Meuron, provided more gallery space and a panoramic public viewing terrace on its top floor, offering stunning 360-degree views of London.

Key Dates in Tate Modern's History

  • 1947-1963: Bankside Power Station is constructed in two phases.
  • 1981: The power station ceases electricity generation and closes down.
  • 1994: The Tate Gallery announces Bankside will be the site for a new modern art gallery.
  • 1995: Architects Herzog & de Meuron are selected for the conversion project.
  • 2000: Tate Modern is opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 11 May.
  • 2012: The Tanks, dedicated to live art and performance, open to the public.
  • 2016: The new Switch House extension (now the Blavatnik Building) opens on 17 June.
  • 2017: The Switch House is formally renamed the Blavatnik Building.

Today, Tate Modern is the UK's most popular art gallery, housing the national collection of international modern and contemporary art from 1900 to the present day. Its history is a remarkable story of urban regeneration and architectural vision, transforming a symbol of industry into a world-leading cultural institution. To experience this unique space, you can book tickets for special exhibitions or plan a free visit to the main collection.

Frequently asked questions

Before becoming an art gallery, the Tate Modern building was the Bankside Power Station. Designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, it generated electricity for London from the early 1950s until it closed in 1981.

When did Tate Modern open?

Tate Modern officially opened to the public on 11 May 2000. It was opened by Queen Elizabeth II and welcomed 5.25 million visitors in its first year.

Who designed the Tate Modern building?

The original Bankside Power Station was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. The award-winning conversion into an art gallery was designed by the Swiss architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron, who also designed the 2016 extension.

How much did the Tate Modern conversion cost?

The initial conversion of the Bankside Power Station into the Tate Modern cost £134 million and was completed in 2000. The major extension, which opened in 2016, cost a further £260 million.

Ready to explore this iconic piece of London's history? Plan your visit and consider one of the excellent guided tours to get the most out of your experience.