Floor Plan Concept for AP Museum

[Douglas]

This plan is a part of the World Monuments proposal for the Alexander Palace restoration.

Key:
1. Entrance
2. Tickets
3. Book Store - Coats in opposite room
4. Costume Gallery
5. Historical Exhibits Gallery
6. Audio-Visual Hall
7. Historical Exhibits Gallery
8. Restuarant -
 [Restrooms in basement.]

[Laura Mabee]

Thanks Douglas! Very interesting!

[londo954]

Douglas according to your plan it looks like they are going to open up the Maple Room again

[Douglas]

There has been some talk about reconstructing the Maple Room.  I believe that it will be rebuilt.  

The Tsar's oriental bath with it's huge sunken tub is also on the menu for reconstruction.  In recent years the building experts in Russia have become very skilled in reproducing the antique palace buildings to their near original appearance.

 I understand that it is the intent of the planners to return the palace to it's appearance during the era of Nicholas II.  The flow of visitor traffic in the palace museum is designed to emulate the dramatic traditional entrance of visitors to the AP one hundred years ago.  

Their best idea is to have the entrance in the right wing.  The way it is currently,  visitors are immediately placed into the most sacred part of the palace home, which is not the proper approach to the Imperial family..  

We can certainly thank Bob Atchison and all of the AP Forum members for their longstanding interest in the Alexander Palace.   Without that interest I doubt that the AP would even be standing today.

[EmmyLee]

Douglas, this is great news. It's wonderful to hear about all of these plans after so many years. It's news to me that they'll restore Nicholas' bath, but depending on just how close they adhere to the palace's appearance during his time there, it makes sense. According to the plan, it looks like they'll be opening nearly all of the rooms on the main floor of the palace. Do we know if this will apply to the upstairs as well?

I also like the plan to have visitors enter through the right wing. It seems most appropriate if they intend to open up the majority of the floor to visitors. Oh, how I wish I could go when everything is complete!

[Douglas]

Douglas, this is great news. It's wonderful to hear about all of these plans after so many years. It's news to me that they'll restore Nicholas' bath, but depending on just how close they adhere to the palace's appearance during his time there, it makes sense. According to the plan, it looks like they'll be opening nearly all of the rooms on the main floor of the palace. Do we know if this will apply to the upstairs as well?

I also like the plan to have visitors enter through the right wing. It seems most appropriate if they intend to open up the majority of the floor to visitors. Oh, how I wish I could go when everything is complete!

Emmy, I have not read of any plans to restore the second floor children's rooms or mezzanine rooms.  I did read that they plan to open and clean up the tunnel that runs from the  kitchen building to the palace.  Also, the surrounding grounds of the AP will be completely redone with most if not all of the fences to be removed.

Architects and engineers have found the AP to be in much better physical shape than previously thought.

[EmmyLee]

If the second floor isn't restored, I wonder what they plan to do with it? Use it as meeting rooms? Storage? What a shame that would be, though I suppose what they are doing is costing quite a bit. Also, if they open the tunnel to the public, do you suppose that would mean the kitchen would be restored as well? Any idea what condition this building is in right now? It will be wonderful to see the grounds cleared and those dreadful fences removed.

[Joanna]

I have not been able to find if another has posted this video, if so my apologies.

A video re the restoration of the AP with the first part showing scenes c1920s. I have seen parts of the 1920s video but the beginning sequence of the exterior with visitors entering the palace are completely new to me. Is it to others also? And is anyone able to do screen shots of the exterior?

http://www.rtr.spb.ru/vesti/Vesti_2009/news_detail.asp?id=8025

Joanna

[EmmyLee]

Here you are, Joanna. If you'd also like screenshots of the present-day exterior, I can do them as well.

[Cathy]

EmmyLee
Thank you so much - these are absolutely amazing.
Cathy