Getty Center announces major modernisation project ahead of Olympics

The J. Paul Getty Trust has announced the most significant modernisation project for the Getty Center since the Brentwood landmark first opened in 1997.

The Richard Meier-designed complex is scheduled to close to the public on 15 March 2027, as part of a comprehensive effort to update its infrastructure and visitor experience.

Officials anticipate that the site will remain closed for approximately one year, with a grand reopening planned for spring 2028, strategically timed to coincide with the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.

Katherine E. Fleming, president and CEO of the J. Paul Getty Trust, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating that the institution looks forward to welcoming global visitors back for the historic sporting celebrations.

The planned enhancements are extensive, featuring reimagined gallery spaces, crucial improvements to the tram system, and a complete renovation of the Welcome Hall.

This latter upgrade will include a new café, bookstore, and retail shop, alongside much-needed technical improvements to mobile phone and Wi-Fi services throughout the campus.

While the main center undergoes these changes, the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades will maintain normal operating hours.

To ensure the public retains access to the collection, a selection of paintings from the Getty Center will be temporarily displayed at the Villa.

Additionally, a temporary programming space will open on Sepulveda Boulevard to accommodate visitors during the closure.

For those who value digital organisation and architectural heritage, this modernisation represents a pivotal step in maintaining the Getty’s status as a world-class cultural institution in the evolving international landscape.