The Broad museum in downtown Los Angeles reached a critical construction milestone on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. A topping-out ceremony marked the placement of the final steel beam, completing the building’s steel framework for its ongoing expansion project.
Civic leaders, museum officials and construction partners gathered on Hope Street for a ceremonial beam signing before a crane lifted the final piece into place. The event featured remarks from Los Angeles City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, museum co-founder Edythe L. Broad, and founding director and president Joanne Heyler.
Strategic Growth and Global Timing
The expansion is scheduled to open in 2028, strategically timed to precede the Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games. Museum officials stated the project will increase gallery space by 70%, allowing a larger portion of the contemporary art collection to be displayed publicly.
“As Los Angeles prepares to welcome the world for the 2028 Games, we must invest in arts and culture in ways that expand access and reflect the diversity and creativity that define our city,” Councilmember Ysabel Jurado said.
Jurado added that the expansion serves as a major investment that strengthens downtown and reinforces the city’s position as a global center for innovation, inclusion, and art.
Enhanced Visitor Experiences
The new structure will feature galleries spanning multiple floors and outdoor, top-floor courtyards. It will also include flexible live programming spaces designed for educational events, concerts, and performances.
In a move to increase transparency and access, the museum will introduce exhibition-style viewing areas. These will allow visitors to gain expanded access to the museum’s art storage vaults.
Joanne Heyler noted that the new space is intended to extend a commitment to reaching a wide audience. “The expansion will create entirely new encounters with works that challenge and move us, placing fresh lenses on our growing collection,” Heyler said.
A Growing Collection
The expanded gallery and programming spaces are designed to bring visitors closer to established artists and new additions. This includes works by Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Kara Walker.
The museum will also utilize the new space to showcase artists new to the collection, including Patrick Martinez, Lauren Halsey, and Cauleen Smith.
Edythe L. Broad emphasized the impact of the project on the community, stating that the expansion will open the collection to more people in “new and unexpected ways” than previously thought possible.
Future Outlook
With the steel framework now complete, the project may move into interior build-outs and gallery installations. The successful completion of this phase suggests the museum is on track for its 2028 opening, which could potentially redefine the cultural landscape of downtown Los Angeles ahead of the global spotlight of the Olympic Games.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Broad expansion scheduled to open?
The expansion is scheduled to open in 2028, ahead of the Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games.
How much will the museum’s gallery space increase?
Museum officials stated that the project will increase gallery space by 70%.
What new features will be available to visitors?
Visitors will have access to galleries across multiple floors, outdoor top-floor courtyards, flexible live programming spaces for concerts and educational events, and new exhibition-style viewing areas for the art storage vaults.
How do you think expanded access to museum storage vaults changes the way we experience art?