The modernization project will upgrade the tram system, renovate the Welcome Hall, and enhance the museum’s sustainability.
The Getty Center will temporarily close its doors for one year beginning March 15, 2027, to facilitate the most extensive modernization of its hilltop campus since it first opened nearly 30 years ago.
The museum and research complex is scheduled to reopen in spring 2028 following a series of infrastructure and guest-facing upgrades designed to improve accessibility, energy resilience, and digital connectivity. During the closure, the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades will remain open, serving as the primary hub for the institution’s public exhibitions and events.
Major enhancements planned for the Getty Center include:
- Visitor Experience: A complete renovation of the Welcome Hall, featuring a new cafe, bookstore, and redesigned arrival and departure zones.
- Accessibility: Upgrades to the site’s iconic tram system and the implementation of a more intuitive wayfinding and orientation support.
- Infrastructure: Campus-wide improvements to building utilities, including enhanced Wi-Fi and cellular service, and a modernized HVAC system to meet international sustainability standards for art preservation.
- Artistic Refresh: Revitalized galleries, new artist commissions, and refreshed exhibitions that emphasize the relationship between art and the site’s natural surroundings.
To maintain its community presence during the construction, Getty will open a new programming venue on Sepulveda Boulevard, directly across from the Center. This space will host special events and public programs throughout the year-long closure and will remain a permanent fixture after the main campus reopens.
Additionally, Getty announced the acquisition of a property in Westwood to serve as a long-term housing solution for its visiting scholars. The site is located near the future Metro station at Westwood and Wilshire boulevards.
While the Center is closed, the Getty Villa will host a rotating selection of European paintings from the Museum’s main collection, allowing visitors to view these works alongside the Villa’s permanent collection of Greek and Roman antiquities.
“Getty is embarking on an exciting new chapter,” said Katherine E. Fleming, president and CEO of the J. Paul Getty Trust. “Our mission has always been to make art accessible to our Los Angeles community and visitors from around the world. In the coming years, guided by our commitment to All for Art, we will enhance the visitor experience across the Getty Center campus through reimagined spaces and new offerings, while prioritizing sustainability. We look forward to welcoming visitors back in spring 2028, in time to celebrate the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles and experience our more accessible, resilient, and dynamic campus.”
The Getty Center will remain fully operational until the March 2027 closure date. Upcoming highlights through late 2026 and early 2027 include the “Off the 405” concert series, an exhibition of the Paul R. Williams archive, and the September 2026 debut of Joshua Reynolds’ “Portrait of Mai.”
