The New Museum in New York City is set to reopen its doors on March 21 after a two-year expansion project. The museum closed its doors in 2024 to undergo a major renovation, which included the construction of a 60,000-square-foot annex on Bowery. This new addition doubles the exhibition space of the museum to 20,000 square feet.
Designed by Rem Koolhaas and Shohei Shigematsu of the Office for Metropolitan Architecture, along with Cooper Robertson, the new complex features a unique crystalline facade made of laminated glass and metal mesh. The seven-story annex, although shorter than the main building, essentially doubles the footprint of the museum.
The expansion has been a long-time dream of museum officials, who purchased the adjacent lot in 2008. After raising $43 million and hiring architects to design the project, the museum finally broke ground on the expansion. Despite some mixed reviews of the initial renderings, the museum remained committed to its vision of growth.
The reopening will feature a free admission weekend on March 21 and March 22, along with an inaugural exhibition titled “New Humans: Memories of the Future.” This exhibition will showcase the work of over 200 artists, writers, and thinkers, exploring the impact of technology on humanity.
The new structure includes three floors of exhibition spaces, a floor for NEW INC, the museum’s cultural incubator, and a dedicated artist-in-residence studio. The addition also features a 74-seat forum and a sky room on the top floor. With three elevators, an atrium stairway, and a new street-level entrance plaza, the museum aims to provide a more accessible and spacious experience for visitors.
Originally planned to reopen last fall, the museum faced some delays in the construction process. However, with construction now nearing completion, the New Museum is excited to welcome back art enthusiasts to its expanded space on Bowery.
Overall, the New Museum’s expansion represents a commitment to innovation and growth in the contemporary art world. Visitors can look forward to a new and improved museum experience, with more space to explore and engage with the latest in contemporary art.
