gehry partners and WHY architecture lead sweeping transformation of los angeles’ getty center
By thomai tsimpou I designboom
The Getty reveals first details of a campus-wide modernization initiative that aims to transform the arrival experience at the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Unveiled as part of a broader investment in accessibility, sustainability, and visitor infrastructure, the project includes a redesigned lower tram station by Gehry Partners, a new tram system manufactured by Doppelmayr, and a renovated Welcome Hall by WHY Architecture. The upgrades are designed to accommodate contemporary visitor needs while remaining sensitive to Richard Meier and Partners’ original 1997 campus design.
Serving more than 1.4 million visitors annually, the Getty Center has evolved far beyond the scale anticipated when it first opened. The new interventions aim to streamline circulation, reduce wait times, and create a more welcoming arrival sequence from the moment visitors enter the campus.
all Lower Tram Station renderings by Gehry Partners
At the base of the hill, Gehry Partners reimagines the Lower Tram Station as a greener and more generous public gateway. Expanded landscaping by OLIN introduces a network of planted areas throughout the arrival zone, alongside a sheltered stairway, outdoor sculpture displays, contemporary art commissions, a garden café, and a new retail space.
The redesign reorganizes circulation and security screening, easing congestion while improving access to the tram. Large canopy structures provide shelter and establish a clearer sense of arrival, transforming what was once a purely functional space into a destination in its own right.
The modernization also replaces the Getty Center tram, which has transported millions of visitors between the parking area and hilltop campus since 1997. The existing system will be replaced by a new model designed and manufactured by Doppelmayr, a company known for its automated shuttle systems in airports and urban transit networks worldwide. The upgraded tram will feature increased passenger capacity and improved comfort, helping reduce waiting times during peak visitation periods, ensuring the continued operation of one of the Getty Center’s most recognizable features.
introducing a new landscaped gateway to the Getty Center
At the top of the hill, WHY Architecture redesigns the Welcome Hall to create a more intuitive and engaging introduction to the museum campus. The renewed space will include enhanced wayfinding, a large information screen and reception desk, and expanded visitor amenities intended to encourage longer stays. Among the additions are an enlarged bookstore and a new full-service café that opens into the hall, creating a more active and social environment for visitors before they continue into the galleries and gardens.
The modernization project forms part of a larger program of infrastructure improvements already underway at the Getty Center. Initial work includes upgrades to the campus HVAC system and gallery improvements intended to strengthen energy efficiency and support Getty’s long-term sustainability goals.
To facilitate construction, the Getty Center will temporarily close to the public beginning March 15th, 2027, with reopening planned for Spring 2028. During the closure, programming will continue through collaborations across Los Angeles and internationally, while the Getty Villa will remain open with exhibitions, events, and a special presentation of works typically displayed at the Getty Center. According to the institution, additional details about the campus-wide modernization effort will be announced in future phases as work progresses.
the modernization project reorganizes circulation, public amenities, and tram access
a sculptural canopy marks the entrance to the renewed arrival sequence
stepped gardens and gathering spaces transform the tram station into a public destination
This article was originally published by Designboom.