Inside the New $724 Million Building: Architecture, Art, and Opening Dates

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is preparing to open its new David Geffen Galleries, a project two decades in the making that represents a significant shift in the museum’s approach to art history and civic space. The new wing will open to members on April 19, 2026, followed by a general public opening on May 4, 2026.

Designed by architect Peter Zumthor, the 347,500-square-foot structure is composed of Brutalist concrete and features a design that curves and swoops over Wilshire Boulevard. The project cost nearly $724 million and followed approximately six years of construction.

Curatorial Approach and Collection

Director and Chief Executive Michael Govan has implemented an unconventional method for displaying the museum’s collection. Rather than following a traditional chronological or geographical arrangement, the galleries will feature between 2,500 and 3,000 works organized by ocean.

This thematic approach is intended to offer a new perspective on art history, though it has become a point of contention among critics. Some have argued that the decision to move away from a straightforward chronological installation is a mistake.

Public and Critical Reception

The David Geffen Galleries have sparked intense public debate regarding their aesthetic and functional value. Some observers describe the building as a thrilling example of progressive modernist design, while detractors have characterized it as an amorphous concrete monstrosity.

Former Los Angeles Times art critic Christopher Knight has been among the critics, describing Zumthor’s creation as monotonous. Additional criticisms have focused on the lack of public discourse surrounding the choice of architect and design.

Technical concerns have also been raised regarding the building’s scale. During the construction process, the project lost 11,000 square feet of gallery space, resulting in less total area than the four buildings the new wing replaced.

Conversely, other local officials have praised the project. Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, whose 2nd District includes the museum, has described Govan as an absolute visionary and stated that the building represents a different model for Los Angeles County and the country.

Context Within Los Angeles Arts Scene

The opening of the David Geffen Galleries is part of a larger surge of museum openings in Los Angeles throughout 2026. Other major arts complexes debuting this year include:

• The George Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, scheduled to open in September 2026 with 100,000 square feet of galleries featuring George Lucas’ personal collection of animation, illustration archives, and Star Wars memorabilia.
• Meow Wolf, which is transforming a 1990s movie theater at the Cinemark in West L.A.’s Howard Hughes entertainment complex.
• Dataland, an AI arts museum created by Refik Anadol.

These openings are seen as part of a broader expansion of the city’s cultural infrastructure leading up to the 2028 Summer Olympics.

The David Geffen Galleries will hold an official gala on April 16, 2026, prior to the member and public opening dates.