The Metropolitan Museum of Art officially broke ground on its 126,000-square-foot Tang Wing for Modern and Contemporary Art, a five-storey project designed by Mexican architect Frida Escobedo that is scheduled to open in 2030, according to the museum. The museum has raised $670m for the wing’s construction and operation, anchored by a $125m cash gift from financier and trustee Oscar Tang and his wife, archaeologist and art historian Agnes Hsu-Tang, which the museum noted is the largest cash donation in its history.
Frida Escobedo Makes History With Tang Wing Design
Frida Escobedo is the first woman to design a wing for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in its 156-year history, a milestone highlighted repeatedly during the groundbreaking speeches, according to museum reports. Escobedo began her remarks by referencing the Spanish expression for breaking ground—la primera piedra, or “the first stone”—which she told attendees brought to mind the four uncarved stone blocks atop the columns on the museum’s Fifth Avenue facade. Those pyramidal slabs are remnants of architect Richard Morris Hunt’s 1894 expansion plan, which originally called for sculpted statues that were never built. “It suggested the idea of becoming—that architecture, and perhaps institutions too, are never entirely finished,” Escobedo said, as reported by Hyperallergic. The studio’s design replaces the Lila Acheson Wallace Wing at the southwest corner of the museum complex, expanding 20th- and 21st-century art galleries by nearly 50% while adding 69,500 square feet of exhibition space.
Museum Leadership and Donors Celebrate Construction Launch
Following a breakfast reception in the Carroll and Milton Petrie European Sculpture Court, museum staff, board members, Escobedo’s architecture team, local politicians, and neighbors gathered to mark the start of construction, according to museum accounts. Museum chief executive and director Max Hollein called the project the beginning of “the next grand chapter in the history of the Metropolitan Museum of Art” during his introductory comments. “The Tang Wing is not simply more gallery space, but a new way of seeing the art of our time in dialogue with everything else we hold in our collections,” Hollein said. Oscar Tang told attendees that as immigrants, he and his wife were proud to be part of the institution’s history. City council speaker Julie Menin praised the couple during the ceremony, stating that “The Tangs have redefined philanthropy in the city,” pointing to their recent contributions including $40m for the New York Philharmonic and $20m for the New-York Historical Society’s democracy wing.
Did you know? The giant windows incorporated into Frida Escobedo’s design for the Tang Wing will be specially tempered and “bird-friendly” to prevent wildlife collisions, as noted by New York City Councilmember Gale Brewer during the groundbreaking event.
Connecting the Museum to Central Park and Upper East Side Neighbors
A central focus of the new architectural design is establishing a stronger physical connection between the museum, Central Park, and the surrounding neighborhood, according to project stakeholders. Hollein noted that “for the first time, the Met will open up to the park, open up to its neighbours,” adding that the updated landscaping surrounding the wing will be more open, fluid, and accessible. Tricia Shimamura, the city parks commissioner, echoed those sentiments during her remarks, stating that “continued change and transformation doesn’t have to come at the expense of your neighbours.” Escobedo reinforced this perspective, explaining to attendees that the wing sits at the intersection of collections, creating new connections that extend toward Central Park and New York City. The architect also noted that the site’s distinct design challenges provided opportunities to create varied scales and spaces, featuring both intimate and grand galleries that connect directly to the exterior.
Elected Officials and Cultural Figures Attend Groundbreaking Ceremony
A broad group of local and state politicians attended the morning event to share personal stories about the museum and praise its expansion, according to event records. The ceremony concluded with a short, meditative performance by Swinomish/Iñupiaq singer-songwriter Black Belt Eagle Scout, who performed a song accompanied by a live guitar loop exploring themes of belonging.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Tang Wing Project
When is the Tang Wing scheduled to open?
The Tang Wing for Modern and Contemporary Art is scheduled to open in 2030, according to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Who designed the new wing?
Mexican architect Frida Escobedo designed the Tang Wing, making history as the first woman to design a wing for the museum in its 156-year history, according to museum documentation.
How much funding has been raised for the project?
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has raised $670m for the building and operation of the wing, bolstered by a $125m cash gift from Oscar Tang and Agnes Hsu-Tang.
What space is the Tang Wing replacing?
The new 126,000-square-foot wing is replacing the Lila Acheson Wallace Wing located at the southwest corner of the museum’s building complex, expanding modern and contemporary gallery space by nearly 50%.
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