Foster & Partners has beaten seven other teams including ones featuring OMA and David Chipperfield to land a prized museum scheme in Madrid.

The firm will overhaul the Hall of Realms in the Spanish capital for the Museo del Prado to provide state of the art galleries as well add nearly 3,000sq m of extra space at the site.

The competition was launched in February this year with the building one of the few that have survived from the former Palacio del Buen Retiro of the 17th century. 

The hall was once used by Spanish royalty and most recently served as the home of the Museum Del Ejercito, or Army Museum, before becoming a part of the Prado in October last year.

Work will involve showcasing the building’s original three-storey façade and opening up outer walls to bring in new views of the civic plaza. A new roof will feature solar cells.

Foster’s is carrying out the work with local practice Rubio Arquitectura.

Practice chairman Norman Foster said: “I would like to say how honoured we are to contribute to this next phase of the expansion of the Prado – one of the truly great museums of the world.”

The work will form part of the museum’s 200th anniversary celebrations in 2019.