A familiar face has reappeared in Nolita this week, sporting a significant transformation. Following a two-year closure for an $82 million expansion, the New Museum is set to reopen on March 21. The revamped space, designed by OMA, will feature three site-specific commissions and a new exhibition titled New Humans: Memories of the Future, showcasing 732 artworks. For many in the downtown art scene, the completion of the renovations has been eagerly awaited. “Our opening marks a transformative moment for the museum, one in development for a decade,” stated board president James-Keith Brown at a press preview.
Although the museum’s team is eagerly anticipating the future, they have been busy attending to the present needs for the grand opening. The site was finished so recently that elements like masking tape still adorned the stairway railings, and some wall panels were absent, revealing the building’s inner workings. “If you see some blue tape around, that’s because that’s what exhibitions are made of,” joked Artistic Director Massimiliano Gioni. The new addition, designed in an off-white hue, attaches to the SANAA-designed flagship building like a conjoined twin. This connection is marked by Tschabalala Self’s facade installation “Art Lovers” (2025).
Visitors familiar with the museum’s original layout will notice several enhancements. The main entrance opens into a new atrium stairway, winding up seven floors and enhancing light and air flow. The previously congested coat check has been moved to a less trafficked area, while the gift shop has been relocated at the back of the lobby. A new plaza along Bowery and Prince Street is nearly complete, set to host installations and events. The new wing’s gallery spaces blend smoothly with the existing rooms, increasing capacity while maintaining a seamless visitor experience.
Upstairs, the museum offers a computer lab for its NEW INC. incubator, a small blue auditorium, and terraces with stunning Manhattan views. Lisa Phillips, the museum’s director, described the upper floors as the building’s “brain,” where creativity and discussion merge. She highlighted the vibrant design elements, referencing Rem Koolhaas’s architecture manifesto. Decisions to build on the neighboring lot were made since the SANAA-designed flagship opened in 2007, aiming to connect with the existing structure while offering distinct features.
The expansion has drawn mixed reactions. While some admire its dual nature, critics have expressed reservations. Justin Davidson of New York Magazine appreciated its balance of spectacle and respect, while Christopher Hawthorne critiqued it as “sleek, slick, and aloof.” Others pointed out practical concerns, such as the steep staircase, which could pose challenges for visitors. Despite differing opinions, the New Museum’s new chapter promises to be an engaging venue for contemporary art.
