The New Museum is set to unveil its highly anticipated expansion in fall 2025, introducing a striking new 60,000-square-foot building designed by OMA’s Shohei Shigematsu and Rem Koolhaas in collaboration with Cooper Robertson. This addition will double the museum’s gallery space while enhancing visitor accessibility and programming capabilities.
ARCHITECTURE
Positioned alongside the existing SANAA-designed building on the Bowery, the expansion aims to create a more dynamic and integrated experience for artists and audiences alike. Key features include three new elevators, an atrium stairway, and an entrance plaza, along with dedicated spaces for artist residencies and public programs. The museum’s renowned cultural incubator, NEW INC, will also move into a purpose-built home within the expansion, reinforcing its commitment to fostering creative entrepreneurship.
The project is a landmark moment for the institution, made possible by significant philanthropic contributions, including a $30 million gift from the late Toby Devan Lewis. In recognition of her longstanding support, the new building will bear her name. To date, the New Museum has raised $118 million toward its $125 million capital campaign goal, with $82 million allocated to construction costs.
To inaugurate the expanded space, the museum will present New Humans: Memories of the Future, a large-scale exhibition featuring over 150 artists, architects, writers, and filmmakers. The show will explore the evolving relationship between humanity and technology, juxtaposing contemporary works by artists such as Meriem Bennani, Wangechi Mutu, and Anicka Yi with pieces by historical figures like Salvador Dalí, H.R. Giger, and El Lissitzky.
The OMA-designed structure will introduce horizontally expansive galleries, open circulation pathways, and enhanced transparency, offering an active engagement with the surrounding neighborhood. New public amenities will include an expanded bookstore, a full-service restaurant, and a rooftop Sky Room with panoramic views of downtown Manhattan.
With its forthcoming expansion, the New Museum solidifies its position as a vital space for contemporary art, pushing boundaries and redefining how institutions engage with the public and the artistic community.
