Great Art, New Start: Building Renovation and Expansion Fact Sheet |
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Project Description
The Detroit Institute of Arts underwent a major renovation, including a complete reinstallation of the galleries to provide visitors with a more comprehensive and engaging experience of the museum’s exceptional collections. Anchored by its 1927 Beaux Arts building designed by Paul Cret, the DIA last made major structural changes in the late 1960s, when the museum’s North and South Wings were added.
Location
5200 Woodward Avenue, in the heart of Midtown Detroit
Groundbreaking
April 30, 2001
Primary Designers
Michael Graves,
Michael Graves & Associates, Princeton, NJ
Architect of Record
The SmithGroup
Building Contractors
Walbridge/Jenkins
DIA Leadership
Graham W. J. Beal, Director
Eugene A. Gargaro, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Directors
Square Feet Prior to Building Project
Approximately 600,000
| Total Additional Square Feet |
| 57,650 |
|
| South Wing Addition |
31,383 |
| North Court new flooring |
8,870 |
| Spine Areas |
11,533 |
| Prentis Court balconies |
2,469 |
| Loggia |
3,395 |
|
|
| |
57,650 |
Additional Gallery Space
31,682 square feet
| Project Cost |
| $158.2 million |
|
| $91.0 million |
Original construction cost |
| $55.8 million |
Asbestos abatement, gallery demolition, reconstruction, scope of project changes |
| $11.4 million |
Reinstallation of galleries |
Major New Features
Major physical changes to the building include:
- 31,383 square-foot addition with three stories and a full basement
- Improved visitor amenities
- New façade on the North and South Wings
- Renovation of the Farnsworth Street Lobby
- Conversion of the north court into new gallery space
- North-south corridor of galleries at the center of the building that make it easier for visitors to navigate the museum.
- Loggia for the Detroit Film Theatre
Education Center
The new Education Center will consist of the following:
- The Walter Gibbs Learning Center. The Gibbs Center will feature exhibitions based on the DIA’s collections, interactive learning aids, multimedia computer programs, videos, books, photographs, and music.
- Two art studios with kiln facilities
- A large space for classes and lectures
- A small classroom
- Offices for studio staff
CaféDIA
The new CaféDIA opened in Dec. 2003 and features dining space for 250. The menu ranges from an extensive salad bar to gourmet sandwiches, soups, hot entrees, and more. The flexible space can be divided into three separate areas for private meetings/functions, or used as a single large event space. The Café also includes a new kitchen on the basement and first floor levels.
Museum Shop
The new Museum Shop is larger than the previous store, with significantly more frontage in the Farnsworth Street Lobby.
Collections and Programming
Founded in 1885, the DIA is one of the foremost art museums in the United States and a leading cultural resource for the city and the region. The DIA is home to more than 60,000 works of art, which comprise a multicultural survey of human creativity from prehistory through the 21st century. From the first van Gogh to enter a U.S. museum (Self Portrait, 1887) to Diego Rivera's celebrated Detroit Industry murals, the DIA's collection reveals the scope and depth of human experience, imagination and emotion. The building project enables the DIA to exhibit more of its collection and offer new programming that connects the community to the museum’s exceptional resources.
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