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LACMA's $724M Design Divides: Art Haven or Concrete Eyesore?
9 Apr
Summary
- The David Geffen Galleries cost $723.8 million to build.
- The new LACMA wing has faced intense public debate for over two decades.
- The project employed over 8,600 local workers and generated significant economic activity.
The David Geffen Galleries at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art are set to officially open on April 16, 2026, after more than two decades of public discussion. This new wing, designed by Peter Zumthor, has been praised by supporters as a forward-thinking architectural achievement and criticized by detractors as an "amorphous concrete monstrosity." The project's $723.8-million price tag has been a focal point of the intense debate.
Director Michael Govan highlighted the project's economic benefits, stating it employed over 8,600 workers and was estimated to generate over $1.2 billion in economic activity for L.A. County. The building also attracted significant art donations, including a $142-million triptych and the vaunted Pearlman Collection. The county contributed $125 million and $300 million in credit, with the museum aiming to pay off its debt by 2050.
Critics, however, have lamented the loss of gallery space and the design choices. The original campus, built in 1965, was deemed too costly to renovate, with estimates suggesting repairs would exceed $250 million. Despite the controversy and the building's cost, Govan remains optimistic about its future and its ability to house and attract major art collections.
