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Huntington Announces $127 Million Renovation of Library

Fountain in front of Myron Hunt's Huntington Library

Last month the Huntington abruptly closed its Library Exhibition Hall, the large, darkened gallery containing the Ellesmere Chaucer and Gutenberg Bible. A new announcement gives the explanation: The institution is embarking on a comprehensive, $126.6 million updating of Myron Hunt's 106-year-old library building. The renovation will add space for conservation; modernized storage for art museum works on paper as well as library books and manuscripts; redesigned exhibition space, including a wing for the history of science. 

Robert A.M. Stern Architects is heading the project, called the Library/Art Building (LAB), with construction to begin in spring 2026. The Huntington says it has raised over $100 million towards the budget.

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Anonymous said…
As with the cultural life of Paris, changes, additions and improvements to museums in LA over the past 40-plus years run in tandem with today's higher or more demanding expectations. Even the facade of Myron Hunt's mansion for the Huntingtons built in the early 1900s was made of less permanent-looking stucco instead of stone. So value engineering of the past, value engineering of today (eg, Zumthor's Geffen building)?

MOMA in NYC decades ago in today's times now comes off as "is that all there is?" Definitely the same with the Whitney's small Breuer building on Madison, although as with the Wright's Guggenheim, I found it more architecturally appealing or dignified than Piano's building is. But today's Paris is way beyond the Paris of decades ago. It's to museums what Orlando is to amusement parks.
June 25, 2025 at 10:09 AM
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