The new LACMA Theatre

 5905 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036  | map |

Opening: 2025. The new building will contain a theatre that's intended to be a replacement for LCMA's Bing Theatre, demolished in 2020. 

Seating: It's projected to be about 300. 

Architect: Peter Zumthor. See the museum's "Building LACMA" page.

 A rendering from Atelier Peter Zumthor.    

The rendering is one of several that make an appearance in "More progress for LACMA's David Geffen Galleries," Steven Sharp's April 2024 article for Urbanize. Some of his comments:

"The project, which began work in 2020, was the subject of contention at the time due to a decision by museum leadership to replace the museum's original buildings designed by William Pereira. In their place stands a new two-story structure which bridges across Wilshire Boulevard and will feature gallery space, a new theater, classrooms, restaurant space, a shop, event space, and other back-of house functions. Peter Zumthor designed the building with an amorphous footprint, with a largely concrete exterior and glass wrapping the upper gallery. The museum intends to use this space to display works such as sculptures, tiles, and ceramics which can be shown safely in natural light.

"The David Geffen Galleries, consisting of 350,000 square feet of total space and 110,000 square feet of gallery space, will actually be smaller than the buildings they replaced, which accounted for roughly 393,000 square feet of total floor area - including 120,000 square feet of galleries. LACMA has argued that the difference is accounted for by the relocation of art storage and office space to off-site locations. Likewise, the museum has pointed out that the museum's overall footprint will be 220,000 square feet after completion of the new project - up from 130,000 square feet in 2007." 

Website: Film at LACMA

 

2024 - A view from the west in early April. Photo Bill Counter    

 

2024 - From the street in April. Photo Bill Counter  

 

2024 - Crossing Wilshire. Photo Bill Counter - April 

 

2024 - A Hunter Kerhart photo.  This view as well as the two below were featured in a Facebook post from Urbanize. These images, as well as many more, were featured in Steven Sharp's April 13 Urbanize article "More progress for LACMA's David Geffen Galleries." See more about Hunter's work on his website: HunterKerhart.com

 

 

2024 - Looking toward downtown. Photo: Hunter Kerhart

 

 

2024 - An April view west toward the Academy Museum. Photo: Hunter Kerhart

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