Los Angeles’ Getty Center will shut from March 2027 to spring 2028 for its largest modernization since opening, featuring gallery upgrades, tram improvements, and enhanced visitor spaces.
The Getty Center, dramatically positioned on the hills of the San Gabriel Mountains above Los Angeles, is set to undergo its most extensive transformation since debuting in 1997. The campus will be closed to visitors from March 2027 through spring 2028 as part of a large-scale modernization plan aimed at upgrading infrastructure, improving visitor experience, and aligning with long-term sustainability goals.
Known for its elevated, Acropolis-like setting, the site requires visitors to travel via a tram from the parking area to the car-free cultural complex. This defining arrival sequence is now a key focus of the redesign, with significant enhancements planned to improve accessibility and movement across the campus.
Key Upgrades Across the Campus
The redevelopment will introduce refreshed galleries alongside new artist commissions, creating updated ways to engage with the museum’s collection. The tram system will be upgraded, accompanied by a redesigned arrival and departure experience and improved wayfinding throughout the campus.
Visitors can also expect a renovated welcome hall featuring a new café, bookstore, and retail environment. In addition, broader improvements will address buildings, public spaces, and utilities, reinforcing the institution’s commitment to sustainability. HVAC system upgrades are already in progress as part of this effort.
Timeline and Visitor Alternatives
The project is scheduled for completion in spring 2028, aligning with the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympics. During the closure, the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades will remain open and expand its offerings.
Visitors will have the opportunity to view selected paintings from the Getty Center’s collection at the Villa, offering a fresh context for familiar works while the main campus undergoes its transformation.
