Plans are underway for the first comprehensive renovation of the Getty Center’s Los Angeles campus in its 30-year history. The upgrade, which officials are calling the most significant series of modernization initiatives since the center opened in 1997, will close the facility for about a year starting March 15, 2027. The center says the price tag for the renovation is between $600 million and $800 million.
The J. Paul Getty Trust, which oversees the Center, has not yet named an architectural team or contractors to update the Richard Meier-designed facility, but expects the upgrades to be complete with a spring 2028 reopening, just before the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics.
Some improvements have already begun in at least two of the Getty’s five exhibition halls where visitors can see the permanent collections and visiting exhibits. Aging equipment is being modernized with more environmentally sustainable solutions than the best practices of 30 years ago. This includes replacing 80 existing air handling units in all pavilions with more efficient electrical systems and improving energy efficiency.
The HVAC upgrades have been planned for some time and are not in response to the January 2025 Palisades fires, a spokeswoman said. A separate cost breakdown for HVAC upgrades was not available.
Structural improvements to the 110-acre hilltop campus overlooking the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles include gallery and building improvements for six structures, improvements to public spaces that include improved accessibility, construction of new restrooms, and sustainability upgrades to public services, such as better cell service and wireless connectivity for visitors. The center includes just under 1 million square meters of building space.
“We will enhance the visitor experience on the Getty Center campus through reimagined spaces and new offerings, while prioritizing sustainability,” said Katherine E. Fleming, president and CEO of the J. Paul Getty Trust, in a statement.
One of the main reasons for the public closure is the renovation of the aging tram system that transports visitors up a mile up the hill to the galleries and public spaces. The renovation will also include a new Welcome Lounge with a redesigned arrival and departure experience and new wayfinding support, according to the Getty. A new cafe, bookstore and shopping emporium are also planned.
Coinciding with the Center’s public closure for a year, the Getty will activate a new programming space across the street from its campus in a building now undergoing renovation. This venue will host a slate of special programs during the closure and will remain a dedicated programming space once the Center reopens. Getty will also expand its footprint in the neighborhood, with another property acquired in the nearby Westwood neighborhood near a planned new subway stop, which will house its academic program.
During the planned closure of the Center, the Getty Villa, located in Malibu, will remain open.
