Bovis Lend Lease has been named preferred bidder for an £18.2m contract to refurbish and redevelop the South West Wing of the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London.

The contractor will have to carry out extensive refurbishment of the Grade I listed building including structural intervention to create a new archive store and public access areas.

A new cafe, terraced brasserie, and below ground exhibtion space as well as archive handling areas will also be built.

The project will provide opportunities for improved visitor circulation between the new wing and the adjacent Neptune Court and allow the museum to develop a regular programme of temporary exhibitions.