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NEWS
Peabody Essex Museum reveals US$200m facility expansion
POSTED 13 Jul 2015 . BY Tom Anstey
Groundbreaking for the development is set for 2016, with the new wing opening to the public in 2019 Credit: Ennead Architects
The Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) in Salem, Massachusetts, has revealed finalised plans for its US$200m (€108.8m, £130m) facility expansion as part of a larger ongoing US$650m (€587.6m, £422.2m) Advancement Campaign.

Based on initial work by Rick Mather Architects, with subsequent work from Richard Olcott of Ennead Architects, the museum will gain a new 40,000sq ft (3,716sq m) wing for galleries and temporary exhibition space, while a new 80,000sq ft (7,432sq m) Collection Stewardship Center will be built off-site.

Groundbreaking for the development is set for 2016, with the new wing opening to the public in 2019. The three-storey development occupies the northwest corner of the museum complex where the Asian Garden – which will be relocated – currently sits. No existing galleries will be demolished during development and when the new wing opens, gallery space will increased 15 per cent to bring total gallery space up to 100,000sq ft (9,290sq m), ranking PEM among the top 20 art museums in the country for size.

The off-site stewardship centre by Boston-based firm, Schwartz/Silver Architects will provide space for the museum’s collection of 1.8 million objects to be stored and maintained. Slated for completion by 2019, the centre will also allow research and access to the collection.

“The new Collection Stewardship Center will allow the museum to provide a holistic approach to the care and conservation of its collection,” said Josh Basseches, deputy director for PEM.

“By unifying collection-related activity under one roof, the museum will be able to greatly increase curatorial and scholarly access to collections, which in turn, will enhance our ability to create transformative experiences of art and culture for our audiences.”

PEM’s Advancement Campaign is a multi-year model for museum finance, fundraising and operations. The plan – financed by museum patrons and supporters – aims to foster long-term financial stability through substantially increased endowment, allocating US$350m (€316.4m, £227.3m), while US$200m (€108.8m, £130m) has been earmarked for the expansion and the remaining US$100m (€90.4m, £65m) for infrastructure improvements.

"To maintain our priorities we have restructured expansion plans to meet our highest priority facility needs,” said Sam Byrne and Sean Healey, co-chairs of PEM’s Board of Trustees. “We want to avoid overinvestment in bricks and mortar, and maintain our commitment to long-term financial sustainability and programmes.”

Since the Advancement Campaign was started in 2013, the museum has renovated its 1970s-era Dodge Wing to create 12,000sq ft (1,114sq m) of gallery space for temporary exhibitions. Additionally, the museum’s interactive education spaces have been renovated and expanded, while a US$20m (€18m, £13m) renovation and improvement of PEM’s Phillips Library – one of the oldest and largest museum libraries in the country – is also underway, with designs by by Schwartz/Silver Architects. A spokesperson for the museum told AM2 that at this stage no contractor had been announced for the expansion.
The Asian Garden will be relocated Credit: Ennead Architects
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NEWS
Peabody Essex Museum reveals US$200m facility expansion
POSTED 13 Jul 2015 . BY Tom Anstey
Groundbreaking for the development is set for 2016, with the new wing opening to the public in 2019 Credit: Ennead Architects
The Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) in Salem, Massachusetts, has revealed finalised plans for its US$200m (€108.8m, £130m) facility expansion as part of a larger ongoing US$650m (€587.6m, £422.2m) Advancement Campaign.

Based on initial work by Rick Mather Architects, with subsequent work from Richard Olcott of Ennead Architects, the museum will gain a new 40,000sq ft (3,716sq m) wing for galleries and temporary exhibition space, while a new 80,000sq ft (7,432sq m) Collection Stewardship Center will be built off-site.

Groundbreaking for the development is set for 2016, with the new wing opening to the public in 2019. The three-storey development occupies the northwest corner of the museum complex where the Asian Garden – which will be relocated – currently sits. No existing galleries will be demolished during development and when the new wing opens, gallery space will increased 15 per cent to bring total gallery space up to 100,000sq ft (9,290sq m), ranking PEM among the top 20 art museums in the country for size.

The off-site stewardship centre by Boston-based firm, Schwartz/Silver Architects will provide space for the museum’s collection of 1.8 million objects to be stored and maintained. Slated for completion by 2019, the centre will also allow research and access to the collection.

“The new Collection Stewardship Center will allow the museum to provide a holistic approach to the care and conservation of its collection,” said Josh Basseches, deputy director for PEM.

“By unifying collection-related activity under one roof, the museum will be able to greatly increase curatorial and scholarly access to collections, which in turn, will enhance our ability to create transformative experiences of art and culture for our audiences.”

PEM’s Advancement Campaign is a multi-year model for museum finance, fundraising and operations. The plan – financed by museum patrons and supporters – aims to foster long-term financial stability through substantially increased endowment, allocating US$350m (€316.4m, £227.3m), while US$200m (€108.8m, £130m) has been earmarked for the expansion and the remaining US$100m (€90.4m, £65m) for infrastructure improvements.

"To maintain our priorities we have restructured expansion plans to meet our highest priority facility needs,” said Sam Byrne and Sean Healey, co-chairs of PEM’s Board of Trustees. “We want to avoid overinvestment in bricks and mortar, and maintain our commitment to long-term financial sustainability and programmes.”

Since the Advancement Campaign was started in 2013, the museum has renovated its 1970s-era Dodge Wing to create 12,000sq ft (1,114sq m) of gallery space for temporary exhibitions. Additionally, the museum’s interactive education spaces have been renovated and expanded, while a US$20m (€18m, £13m) renovation and improvement of PEM’s Phillips Library – one of the oldest and largest museum libraries in the country – is also underway, with designs by by Schwartz/Silver Architects. A spokesperson for the museum told AM2 that at this stage no contractor had been announced for the expansion.
The Asian Garden will be relocated Credit: Ennead Architects
RELATED STORIES
Star Trek experience starting North American tour in Canada’s Aviation and Space Museum


Canada’s Aviation and Space Museum is boldly going where no man has gone before to bring its visitors a first-of-its-kind interactive educational exhibit based on the Star Trek franchise.
Adjaye Associates appointed to design new US$122m home for Studio Museum in Harlem


The Studio Museum in Harlem – an institute promoting the work of artists of African descent – could move from its century-old headquarters, with plans by the architectural team of Adjaye Associates to develop a new US$122m (€110m, £79.1m) home in New York City.
Museum by Radionica Arhitekture opens at one of Europe's most important archaeological sites


After more than a decade of development, the Vucedol Culture Museum by Radionica Arhitekture has opened its doors to the public, setting up shop at one of Europe’s most important archaeological sites.
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Warner Bros Discovery collaborates on upcoming Pompeii attraction
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while remaining actively involved with the company.
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
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IAAPA Expo Europe was established in 2006 and has grown to the largest international conference and [more...]
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Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

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