The Broad museum in Los Angeles is planning a $100 million expansion, set to be completed in time for the 2028 Summer Olympics. The new building will add 55,000 square feet of space, increasing the total gallery space by 70%. The expansion will be connected to the existing museum through a third-floor entryway leading to an open-air courtyard with views of the sky. The original museum, which opened in 2015, is 120,000 square feet in size.

The expansion of The Broad is expected to have a positive impact on downtown Los Angeles, which has faced challenges due to the pandemic and remote work trends. Many businesses in the area have closed or are struggling to operate, and there is also a significant issue with disruptions caused by the unhoused population. The museum, with over 5.5 million visitors to date, is likely to attract even more guests after the expansion, potentially bringing in more people to shop, dine, and enjoy entertainment in the area.

According to Joanne Heyler, the founding director and president of The Broad, the expansion is seen as a gateway for the entire Grand Avenue area, including its institutions, businesses, and restaurants. The project could revive the Grand Avenue Project, which aimed to create a cultural corridor with prominent institutions such as the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. The new building, designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, will be a mirror image of the existing museum’s architecture, with an inversion of its design scheme known as the veil and the vault.

The additional space in the expansion will primarily be used to display more art from The Broad’s collection, which includes over 2,000 pieces of contemporary art by artists like Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Jeff Koons. Currently, only about 200 pieces are on view, so the new galleries will allow the museum to showcase a larger selection of works. The expansion will also include spaces for guests to relax and gather, including open-air courtyards and live programming spaces for various events and performances.

The expansion will not affect the museum’s policy of offering free admission to its permanent collection. However, special exhibitions may still require a separate admission fee. Visitors are encouraged to make reservations in advance through the museum’s online system, and a stand-by line will still be available for those looking to visit without a reservation. The added gallery space and amenities in the expansion are expected to enhance the overall experience for guests and further establish The Broad as a cultural hub in downtown Los Angeles.

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