DUNDEE CITY Council has denied claims that removing a staircase in the refurbished McManus Galleries has triggered a legal wrangle with descendants of one of the original architects.

On Thursday night, members of Dundee City Centre and Harbour Community Council heard the council had been hit with a six-figure claim due to a legal restraint on the removal of the staircase, placed by one of the architects who worked on the building in the 1870s.

Community council vice-chairman Brian Massie said, “From what I can remember, the staircase was close to Admiral Duncan’s portrait, but I’ve seen photos from inside the gallery now and it appears this staircase has been removed.

“I’ve heard the family of one of the original architects, called MacKenzie, claim they are now entitled to financial compensation for its removal. Apparently, when the galleries were built the financiers could not afford to build the staircase as planned.

“Mr McKenzie said he would fund the staircase himself on condition that if it was ever removed, the city would pay him back in full. Now the staircase has been removed the family are chasing the council for the money, which I’ve heard reaches into six figures.”

A city council spokesperson last week denied that a staircase had been removed from the gallery. But McManus redevelopment officer Richard Brinklow last night confirmed a staircase had been removed.

He said, “I am happy to tell you a staircase has been removed but this was done with the full approval of Historic Scotland and Dundee City Council planners. But I would have to refer any other questions relating to the removal of this staircase to an official council spokesperson.”

McManus redevelopment project director John Stewart-Young also refused to be drawn into any discussion on the matter and referred all inquiries to the council.

The city council last night admitted that a staircase had been removed and a spokesperson said the previous confusion arose because of claims that the staircase was of marble.

Asked if the city council had been approached by the descendants, parties representing the descendants or anyone claiming to act on behalf the descendants of the architects of any phase of the McManus Galleries claiming financial recompense for the removal or refurbishment of any staircase, made of any material, within the McManus Galleries—the answer was a resounding negative.

The original design for the McManus Galleries— formerly known as the Albert Institute—was drawn up by Sir George Gilbert Scott, who worked on the building between 1864-67.

The central unit was extended alongside the construction of the free library by architect David Mackenzie II between 1871-73 based on Scott’s original designs.

The building is now going through an £8 million refurbishment to exploit the gallery’s internal space and improve its layout.

All non-original interior features are being stripped out to create airy, open public spaces revealing the beauty of the original architecture.

The external grand sweeping staircase is to be refurbished but will not be used as an entrance because of the difficulties of access for disabled visitors.

Claims have also been circulating on an online Dundee forum for some time regarding the removal of a historic marble staircase within the galleries.