Cyprus’s new archaeological museum has been pushed back by more than a year, with handover now not expected until late 2027 at the earliest — despite construction having started over two years ago with a 2026 completion target.
The delay stems in part from a running dispute with the contractor, who sought a 500-day extension.
Officials have described some of the demands as unrealistic, though others have been deemed justified. A shorter extension to next November has been approved, but the situation remains unresolved, according to information obtained by philenews.
The parliamentary Audit Committee visited the site — opposite the House of Representatives — to assess progress and examine the causes of delay. Works began on 9 January 2023 and were originally due to finish in July 2026.
Among the factors complicating progress are highly specialised materials that are difficult to source. These include architectural crystal components manufactured in the United States and other specialist materials produced in only three countries worldwide.
Even under the original schedule, completion of construction was always to be followed by an 18-month museography period to transfer and install the exhibits — pointing to a full handover in 2028. That timeline has now been overtaken by the delays, with handover brought forward in revised estimates to around the end of 2027.
The flood study for the building accounted for an extreme 200-year scenario, meaning the structure is designed to withstand the most severe weather events.
The museum is being built on a 40,000 sq m plot with a total floor area of 30,000 sq m including basements.
It will offer 5,500 sq m of permanent gallery space housing around 6,500 antiquities, alongside 1,000 sq m of temporary exhibition rooms, 2,000 sq m of conservation laboratories, 5,000 sq m of antiquities storage and a full range of public facilities including a restaurant, café, library, amphitheatre, education spaces, underground parking and a public square with a fountain.
The contract value stands at €143,924,216.
The site visit was attended by officials from the ministries of Culture and Transport, the Department of Antiquities, the Public Works Department and representatives of construction firms Cyfield and Adelfoi Iacovou.
