firstsite, a Colchester-based visual arts organisation, has revealed that its new Rafael Viñoly Architects-designed home is to open its doors to the public on 25 September.

An exhibition inspired by Colchester's history as one of the UK's oldest-recorded towns - Camulodunum - will mark the opening of the 3,200sq m (34,445sq ft) complex. Built at a cost of £28m, the new building will include flexible presentation spaces for visual art exhibitions; artists' spaces for project work; learning studios; and a 190-seat auditorium.

A daytime café/nighttime restaurant with terrace overlooking a new public park; a shop; and meeting facilities will also be on offer at firstsite's new home. Funding partners for the development of the new venue include Colchester Borough Council (CBC); Essex County Council; Arts Council England; and the University of Essex.

The East of England Development Agency has also contributed towards the project, with the facility already named as a partner in the nationwide Plus Tate programme. firstsite director Katherine Wood said: "The spectacular new building will bring the life-changing power of art to hundreds of thousands of people, and act as a dynamic new social hub for Colchester."

CBC portfolio holder for resources and ICT Paul Smith added: "Colchester's new landmark building for the visual arts, firstsite, will be a community hub for our town, county and region."