Metropolitan Museum of Art Plans Major Expansion

A "blockbuster" addition is in the works.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Photo courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is planning a “blockbuster” expansion.

The museum had previously announced that British architect David Chipperfield would develop a new space for its southwest wing for modern and contemporary art. Now, the project has “the potential to include adjacent galleries for the Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas,” Met sources told the New York Post.

The size of the entire project will consist of 180,000 square feet, according to David Brodsky, a real estate developer who is chairman of the museum’s board. Brodsky told the Post that the expansion won’t add to the museum’s height, saying “it will be no higher than any of the existing buildings that are there.”

The museum already has two million square feet of space. Last February it issued $250 million in taxable 30-year bonds to address infrastructure needs. The report says Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners is consulting on a “holistic” basis.

Since the museum’s facade and some interior portions are designated as landmarked by the city from a decision dating back to 1977, proposed changes have to be approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission.

A Met spokeswoman told the Post that the footprint of the museum in Central Park will be no larger than it already is; the Post surmises, “lest any eco-nuts start rallying.”

The museum did not immediately respond to an email and phone call requesting comment.


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