Ground has been broken on the Government of Egypt’s US$550m (£271m, 400m euro) Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) development near the renowned Pyramids of Giza.

The 480,000sq m (5,200,000sq ft) site will focus on a 84,000sq m (904,000sq ft) museum building entered via an atrium containing a monumental statue of Ramses II and a grand staircase displaying huge statues of Egyptian Pharaohs.

The third floor of the museum will feature the Permanent Galleries with views to the Pyramids, located 2.5km away.

The centrepiece Gallery of Tutankhamen – approached via a suspended bridge entering the darkened tomb – will display 3,500 pieces belonging to the Young King Tut – the most comprehensive collection worldwide salvaged from the desecrated tomb.

The remaining galleries will show around 100,000 artefacts on the five themes of The Land of Egypt; Kinship and State; Man, Society and Work; Religion and Culture; and Scribes and Knowledge, in a chronological sequence.

A 1,000-seat auditorium will offer theatrical performances, while a wide-screen 3D cinema will show films.

The site will include a 53,000sq m (570,500sq ft) Recreational Park to accommodate leisure and recreational facilities as well as hotels and restaurants.

The development was designed by Heneghan Peng Architects in Ireland.