Work is now underway at the £25m Turner Contemporary in Margate, in Kent, which is scheduled to be opened in 2008.

The three storey building – which has been designed by architects Snohetta + Spence – aims to celebrate the seaside town’s links with artist J M W Turner.

The gallery will house works by Turner – who created more than 100 paintings inspired by the area – alongside a selection by contemporary artists. It will be built on Margate’s stone pier and linked via a glass bridge to a cafe, a restaurant and a shop.

The project, instigated in the 1990s by members of the local community, is backed by Kent County Council – which has agreed a £17.6m contract with the main contractor, Edmund Nuttal – Thanet District Council, South East England Development Agency, Arts Council England and the European Union.

Also on the site of the gallery is Droit House – the visitor centre for Turner Contemporary.

The venue features displays showing the development of the gallery and gives visitors the opportunity to find out more about contemporary art.

The grade II listed Droit House – which opened in 2002 and benefitted from a £350,000 refurbishment in 2004 – also hosts exhibitions by artists, teachers and school children. Details: www.turnercontemporary.org