Getty Center in Los Angeles Is Closing for Year of Renovations

The J. Paul Getty Trust announced that the Getty Center in Los Angeles will close to the public for approximately one year starting in March 2027 to undertake a major renovation project focused on replacing its aging tram system and modernizing several key art galleries. The closure marks the most significant infrastructure work at the iconic hilltop museum complex since its opening in 1997, requiring a full shutdown to ensure public safety and efficient construction. The primary driver for the extensive closure is the critical need to replace the original tram system, which has transported millions of visitors from the parking structure to the museum campus for nearly three decades. The renovation will also encompass comprehensive updates to several permanent collection galleries, including improvements to lighting, climate control systems, and display infrastructure to meet contemporary conservation and presentation standards. While the main Getty Center campus is closed, the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades, which houses the museum's antiquities collection, will remain open to the public. The planned modernization aims to enhance the visitor experience for future generations while preserving the architectural integrity of Richard Meier's renowned design. Museum officials have stated that detailed plans for the renovation, including specific gallery updates and the timeline for the new tram's installation, will be finalized and shared with the public as the 2027 date approaches. The project underscores the ongoing investment required to maintain world-class cultural institutions and their critical infrastructure.