Last weekend Turner Contemporary welcomed more than 14,000 people-- “smashing expectations” for the number of visitors on its opening weekend. Designed by Stirling Prize winner David Chipperfield, the new building-- one of the country’s largest art galleries outside London-- aims to revitalize the seaside town of Margate, turning it into a cultural destination. With the sea as its backdrop, the landmark building resides on the same site where JMW Turner once lived and painted. Arguably England’s best known painter, Turner found artistic inspiration on England’s wind-swept coast, and today, visitors to the gallery are invited to follow in Turner’s footsteps and “to embrace their curiosity and to discover different ways of seeing, thinking and learning.” Other regeneration projects for Margate include the “planned restoration of the stunning Art Deco fairground, Dreamland, the arrival of high-speed rail from London and a slow realisation of the old town’s delightful building stock” to quote The Financial Times. Together these projects will breathe new life into the town as it becomes Kent’s new cultural heart. Admission to the gallery is free.