THE £40m makeover of west-end landmark Kelvin Hall is on target, with Phase 1 of the redevelopment due to be finished in the summer.

The building will be transformed into one of the largest museums and research centres in the country, bringing Glasgow University, the Hunterian Museum, Glasgow Life and the National Library of Scotland under the same roof.

The site will also house a public sporting facility as well as the National Library of Scotland’s Scottish Screen Archive.

Situated opposite the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, it is hoped the project will create a cultural and heritage district to rival anywhere in the UK.

Professor Anton Muscatelli, Principal of the University, said: “Kelvin Hall, when it is completed, will be the best museum district outside of London.”

The original Kelvin Hall, built in 1901, burned down in 1925 and was rebuilt two years later.

It was then used as a barrage balloon factory during the Second World War.

In 1964, it held the first full public showing of colour television in Scotland, and in the same year hosted a Jerry Lee Lewis concert where his supporting act, The Animals, were booed off stage.

Other stars who have performed at the venue include The Kinks, Elton John and Runrig.

In 1987 it was converted to a sporting venue and facility, hosting international athletics events and boxing, badminton and volleyball competitions.

For four years, between 2008 and 2012, it was also home to professional basketball team the Glasgow Rocks, now based at the Emirates.

Professor Murray Pittock, Pro Vice Principal of the University, called the redevelopment “world-first.”

He said: “It’s the first time we’ve brought together academia, sport and culture in this way, and it’s good not only for students but for people throughout Glasgow.

"It’s open to everyone, from primary schools to professors.

“It’s true to the values of the Enlightenment, of breaking down boundaries, and of promoting the development of ideas over the ownership of ideas.”

The completion of Phase 1 will allow the Hunterian Museum to display the entirety of its collections – more than 1.5 million objects and specimens – many of which have never been on public display.

Director of the Hunterian Museum, Professor David Gaimster, said: “There’s everything from archaeology to zoology – things, like our collection of dinosaur footprints, that we haven’t been able to put on display until now.

"This project transforms things for the Hunterian Museum.”

Much of this treasure-trove is stored away in nine different storage facilities dotted all around the city.

Over at one of these facilities, an industrial warehouse in Govan, huge steel racks are mounted with rows of palettes – 300 in total – each containing hundreds of rocks, minerals and fossils from all over the world.

A five-strong team from Glasgow University are dedicated to meticulously organising the objects and specimens, preparing them for transfer to the new site.

Phase 1 of the redevelopment will likely be completed by June or July and Kelvin Hall should officially re-open in time for the new student intake in September.

The final phase of the revamp, due to be completed in 2020, plans to expand the site even further, to include the Hunterian Gallery, Mackintosh House and the University’s Anatomy and Zoology Museums.