Los Angeles is home to a remarkable range of museums, from the futuristic, recently opened Lucas Museum of Narrative Art to historic landmarks like the free Avila Adobe, the city’s oldest surviving residence.
But few cultural destinations are as beloved as the Getty Center, the hilltop museum known for its world-class art, striking architecture, and sweeping views of the city. Soon, however, the iconic institution will temporarily close its doors, giving way for a major transformation.
When is the Getty Center closing?
The Getty Center will close to the public on March 15, 2027, with reopening planned for spring 2028, according to the official announcement from the J. Paul Getty Trust. The approximately year-long closure will allow the museum to complete its most significant modernization project since opening in 1997.
The overhaul is estimated to cost between $600 million and $800 million, according to the Los Angeles Times. The project will address aging infrastructure, improve accessibility, and make the campus more energy-efficient while updating the visitor experience.
One of the biggest changes will be replacing the Getty’s iconic tram, which carries visitors from the parking structure to the hilltop campus. The new system is designed to increase capacity by 400 passengers per hour, helping reduce wait times. The arrival area will also receive a redesign by Gehry Partners, including a new sheltered waiting area and additional green space.
At the top of the hill, the Welcome Hall will be renovated with a new café, an expanded bookstore and retail area, and improved visitor information. Approximately 27,000 square feet of gallery space will be reworked, alongside campus-wide improvements to heating, ventilation, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and cell service. The timing also places the reopening ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
During the closure, the nearby Getty Villa will remain open, with additional programming and a gallery featuring selected works from the Center’s collection. A new cultural programming space on Sepulveda Boulevard will also host public events while renovations are underway.
About the Getty
Opened in 1997, the Getty Center occupies a 110-acre hilltop site in the Santa Monica Mountains. Designed by architect Richard Meier, the campus combines white travertine buildings, landscaped gardens, and panoramic views stretching across L.A.
The museum contains more than 125,000 objects, including European paintings, drawings, sculpture, illuminated manuscripts, decorative arts, and photography.
