Peabody Essex Museum Selects Architect for $200M Expansion

Salem's Peabody Essex Museum issued a press release Sunday announcing the selection of Ennead Architects to design the museum’s $200 million, 175,000-square-foot expansion. 

Ennead was chosen from a group of architecture firms that were invited to participate in a design charrette this summer. Recent projects include designing the much-acclaimed renovation and expansion of the Yale University Art Gallery, as well as several significant projects at the Brooklyn Museum, Natural History Museum of Utah, William J. Clinton Presidential Center and the Rose Center for Earth and Space at the American Museum of Natural History, according to the release.

“Ennead Architects impressed us with their creative dexterity, in-depth understanding of our institution and thoughtful design solutions for the museum’s complex architectural program. We celebrate their responsive, collaborative spirit and look forward to partnering with them to achieve a design that provides a superlative museum experience,” said Dan Monroe, PEM’s Rose-Marie and Eijk van Otterloo Director and CEO.

Ennead was chosen after the successful completion of the first phase of the building project, executed by Rick Mather Architects of London, U.K. 

The initial phase included master planning and the renovation of the Dodge wing, which will reopen in October with a new and expanded Art & Nature Center, and a vibrant program of special exhibitions.

PEM’s $200 million building expansion project is part of a landmark $650 million campaign to advance the museum’s mission of celebrating outstanding art, culture and creative expression in ways that transform people’s lives," according to the release.

The expansion will add approximately 75,000 square feet of new galleries; public program and education spaces; a restaurant, as well as essential improvements to the museum’s collection, conservation and exhibition processing areas.

Groundbreaking for PEM’s expansion project is to commence in 2015, and the new wing will open to the public in 2019. PEM will remain open throughout the construction process until the final months, when re-installation of the museum’s galleries will take place.