The Metropolitan Museum of Art has officially embarked on its next grand chapter. On September 15, 2026, The Met broke ground on the highly anticipated Oscar L. Tang and H.M. Agnes Hsu-Tang Wing, a state-of-the-art expansion that will reimagine how visitors experience Modern and Contemporary art in New York City.
A Historic Design by Frida Escobedo
Scheduled to open in 2030, the 126,000-square-foot expansion is designed by acclaimed Mexican architect Frida Escobedo. Her appointment marks a historic milestone, as she is the first woman to design a wing in The Met's 156-year history. Escobedo's vision seamlessly blends the museum's architectural heritage with contemporary innovation. The exterior will feature a striking limestone "celosía" (lattice) screen that responds to the movement of sunlight, while the structure itself will remain respectfully within the museum's existing footprint, standing no higher than the original 1880 central building.
What to Expect in the New Tang Wing
Replacing the former Lila Acheson Wallace Wing, the Tang Wing will provide a 50 percent increase in gallery space dedicated to 20th- and 21st-century art. Here is a look at what the $670 million project will bring to the Fifth Avenue institution:
- Expansive Galleries: The wing will feature 69,500 square feet of exhibition space. With ceiling heights ranging from 11 to 22 feet, the galleries are specifically scaled to accommodate everything from intimate works to massive, large-scale contemporary installations.
- Stunning Park and Skyline Views: The design opens the museum up to its surroundings like never before. Large, bird-friendly windows will flood the galleries with natural light. Visitors will also enjoy 18,500 square feet of outdoor space, including an expanded fourth-floor terrace and a year-round fifth-floor café offering panoramic views of Central Park and the Midtown skyline.
- Enhanced Accessibility and Sustainability: The redesign addresses critical infrastructure needs by adding new elevator cores, accessible ramps, and clearer circulation routes connecting to adjacent wings. The building will also utilize cutting-edge practices to dramatically reduce energy consumption.
While 2030 may feel like a long wait, The Met is ensuring that art lovers won't miss out in the meantime. Modern and contemporary works will remain on view through rotating installations across the museum throughout the construction period.
