LACMA takes shape: Phase 1 opens next February

The LACMA expansion is “on time and on budget,” said the museum’s Don Battjes, who lead a tour for Councilmember LaBonge and his staff of the construction site where the new Eli Broad wing to house his collection of contemporary art is fast being completed for its scheduled February 8, 2008 gala opening. The 65,000-square foot marble-faced building will be the centerpiece of an expanded and re-envisioned art complex that will also include a new entryway, 750-car underground parking structure and reorganized galleries. While Phase I is being completed, fundraising is already underway for Phase II that will include new exhibition space to be built above the garage and a gutted and retrofitted May Co. building that will eventually house administrative offices, gift shop and restaurant. One of the more eye-popping features of the new entry will be a suspended full size rail car.