National Museums Liverpool (NML) has launched the new £72m Museum of Liverpool - one of the largest new-build museum developments in the UK for more than a century.

Designed by Denmark-based architects 3xN, the iconic new facility is also one of the first national museums in the world to focus on the history of a regional city. The Museum of Liverpool will be unveiled in phases, with the first now open and featuring the Atrium and the Global City, Little Liverpool, Wondrous Place and Skylight galleries.

The People's Republic gallery is also now open, while The Great Port; Liverpool Overhead Railway Gallery; History Detectives; and City Soldiers will follow later this year. BRC Imagination Arts; Haley Sharpe; and Redman Design are among the companies to be involved with the creation of the exhibitions, which explore a number of core themes.

The launch of the museum took place on the 100th anniversary of the opening of the city's iconic Royal Liver Building. NML director David Fleming said: "The Museum of Liverpool is all about telling the stories of the city and its people. This includes the times of struggle such as the Toxteth riots, the triumphs of our musical exports including The Beatles, and the dramatic histories of our football teams.

"Every single event has helped shape this city's personality. The Museum of Liverpool is here to tell the tale, and like the Liver Building, will be around for many years to come."