Art lovers far and wide, prepare for a bountiful new year of museum and gallery expansions, grand openings, renovations, and fresh spaces. Here, Whitewall journeys through the much-awaited launches of 2025, from the re-opening of The Frick Collection in New York to the debut of Perrotin London at Claridge’s, and much more.
New Museum
New York
Design by OMA
View from Bowery Rendering of the expanded New Museum and public plaza; Courtesy OMA, Bloom images, and New Museum.
In 2025, the much-anticipated expansion of the New Museum will be unveiled in New York, with expert design by OMA alongside executive architect Cooper Robertson. Notable as the only dedicated contemporary art museum in Manhattan, the beloved institution engages local communities and international art lovers alike in critical education and positive cultural transformation.
Why we love it: Since 1977 the non-collecting institution has offered landmark presentations and championed the most forward-thinking creatives of our time.
New Museum
Opening 2025
The Studio Museum in Harlem
New York
Design by Adjaye Associates
The Studio Museum in Harlem’s New Building. Photo: © Albert Vecerka/Esto, Courtesy of The Studio Museum in Harlem.
The Studio Museum in Harlem will raise an effervescent toast upon its grand opening in the Fall of 2025, marking a vibrant new home for the exceptional institution. Founded 56 years ago, this will be an inaugural facility tailor made for the Studio Museum, featuring expansive realms for education, exhibition, public amenities, and more. First exhibitions include a rich presentation of works by the late, artist, educator, and activist Tom Lloyd, an echoing of Lloyd’s 1968 show which prominently opened the revolutionary institution in Harlem.
Why we love it: The opening exhibition will include a novel installation derived from the museum’s permanent collection, incorporating artworks from the 1800s as well as today’s innovative gems.
The Studio Museum in Harlem
Opening Fall 2025
The Frick Collection
New York
Design by Selldorf Architects
Courtesy of The Frick Collection.
Local and international art lovers alike will be thrilled to discover the re-opening of The Frick Collection in April of 2025. The highly-revered museum and library plans to unearth revamped historical realms, even more gallery spaces, as well as state-of-the-art amenities for guests. A thoughtful focus will be placed on its diverse collections, kicking off a must-see, inaugural season of special programs.
Why we love it: The skillful Selldorf Architects lead the stunning renewal, with the updated Frick Art Research Library and Reading Room offering luxurious space for education and reflection.
The Frick Collection
Reopening April 2025
Perrotin London
London
Design by Johnston Marklee
Courtesy of Claridge’s, London.
Perrotin will unveil a heavenly London gallery space in 2025, adding to its momentous roster of locations in New York, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, and Paris. The sweeping 3,800 square foot space will unfold within the legendary Claridge’s—a five-star hotel paradise located in Mayfair. The unique locale will surely bring refreshed perspectives to the already vibrant UK art landscape, as well as act as a new hub for emerging and established artists and collectors.
Why we love it: The thrilling opening arrives on the heels of Perrotin’s debut in Los Angeles, sparking a cross-cultural conversation on art’s profound impact on society.
Perrotin London
Opening 2025
V&A East Storehouse
London
Design by Diller Scofidio + Renfro
Courtesy of V&A East Storehouse, London.
Debuting in May of 2025, V&A East Storehouse will allow for never-before-seen access into the prestigious V&A collections and iconic archives. The forward-thinking new museum will showcase half a million artworks to visitors from around the world, ranging from historic masterpieces to modern gems. The space’s program will be ever-evolving throughout the year, with enveloping workshops and events for all ages.
Why we love it: Discover era-defining Glastonbury Festival archives, mid-century furniture, Roman frescos, Dior haute couture, and Elton John costumes.
V&A East Storehouse
Opening May 31, 2025
Sotheby’s at the Breuer Building
New York
Design by Herzog & de Meuron
Photo by Max Touhey, Courtesy of the The Whitney Museum of American Art.
Hungarian architect Marcel Breuer’s exemplary, modernist museum has been a beloved Upper East Side landmark since 1966. Sotheby’s auction house acquired the dazzling building in September 2024, and will open its doors to visitors in 2025. Cascading in granite beside the neighborhood’s most charming brownstones, the Breuer Building has previously served as a home for exceptional collections of The Whitney Museum of American Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, as well as The Frick Collection.
Why we love it: The sculptural site will transform into Sotheby’s latest global headquarters, basking guests in pioneering artwork and architecture.
Sotheby’s at the Breuer Building
Opening 2025
Naoshima New Museum of Art
Naoshima
Design by Tadao Ando
Courtesy of Naoshima New Museum of Art.
In the midst of the fragrant cherry blossom season, Naoshima New Museum of Art will be unearthed atop a picturesque hilltop near the peaceful Honmura district. Expertly designed by Tadao Ando, highlighting his visionary tenth endeavor within art realms of Benesse Art Site Naoshima, the museum will unfold over three vast floors. A magnificent collection of premier artworks will be on exhibit, as well as specially commissioned pieces by Asia-based creatives.
Why we love it: Deeply engaging public programs, conversations, and workshops are set to illuminate the lush creativity on view, as well as welcome global perspectives and union.
Naoshima New Museum of Art
Opening Spring 2025
Fondation Cartier
Paris
Design by Jean Nouvel
Courtesy of Fondation Cartier.
Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain raised a glass of bubbly to its 40th anniversary in October of 2024, reveling in its enduring dedication to supporting creative visionariaries past, present, and future. In celebration of this noteworthy moment in time, Fondation Cartier will raise the curtain on its new residence at Place du Palais-Royal in 2025. Meticulously designed by the perceptive architect Jean Nouvel, the space will invite all into an opulent sanctuary where art and culture are one in the same. “Moving into such an impressive site, in terms of location and history, entails a form of invention,” explained Nouvel. “The space is marked by a different way of doing: a way of conceiving how artists can have maximum power of expression.”
Why we love it: Fondation Cartier’s new home will intensely honor its history while serving as a beacon of light for the ways in which art can impact our lives and broaden our horizons. In this vein, a new podcast series “Voir venir, Venir voir” imparts a highly-detailed narrative.
Fondation Cartier on Place du Palais-Royal
Opening 2025
DATALAND
Los Angeles
Design by Frank Gehry
Courtesy of DATALAND.
Spearheaded by the innovative Refik Anadol Studio, DATALAND is a trailblazing museum of AI arts, the first in the world to be exact, enlightening all on the grand revelations and important subtleties of creativity in the digital universe. Divisions of technology, science, AI research, and art will bloom together at DATALAND, with online access and learning platforms inviting all ages to consider the latest and greatest in AI art collections and sensorial exhibitions.
Why we love it: The much-anticipated museum will be held within The Grand LA development located downtown, beautifully designed by the one and only Frank Gehry, merging with a parade of cultural institutions.
DATALAND
Opening 2025
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi
Design by Frank Gehry
Courtesy of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
Following in the footsteps of premier locations in Bilbao, Venice, and New York, the Guggenheim contemporary art museum will descend upon the spirited capital city of Abu Dhabi this year. Plans for the master work were revealed some 20 years ago, and construction has been ongoing for nearly 14 years. Spanning 42,000 square meters, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will be the largest iteration yet, dazzling all who visit the new landmark on Saadiyat Island.
Why we love it: Another Frank Gehry tour de force, the building’s sculptural and otherworldly design echoes the past, present, and future of the region’s striking architecture.
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi
Opening 2025
Zayed National Museum
Abu Dhabi
Design by Foster + Partners
Courtesy of Zayed National Museum.
With an anticipated opening in 2025, Zayed National Museum will bring together multi-layered, colorful histories of the UAE, imparting to local and international visitors the time-honored principles of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan—the country’s highly revered founding father. Situated ideally within the center of Saadiyat Cultural District, the museum will educate the public on 300,000 years of human history in the cherished area.
Why we love it: A flurry of public programming, rich exhibitions, and cutting-edge research will spark critical conversations within the ethereal space designed by Foster + Partners.
Zayed National Museum
Opening 2025
Almaty Museum of Arts
Kazakhstan
Design by Chapman Taylor
Courtesy of Almaty Museum of Arts and Astana Group.
The inaugural private museum of contemporary arts in Central Asia, Almaty Museum of Arts, will showcase local and international treasures that have been thoughtfully acquired over 30 years. Founded by the visionary Nurlan Smagulov, mind-expanding cultural and educational programs will benefit everyone in the community, as well as draw in international art leaders and collectors—all of whom will also revel in both its short-term and permanent exhibitions.
Why we love it: The building’s distinct design by British architecture firm Chapman Taylor conjures the nearby mountains with a supernatural edge, fusing art and environment in majestic fashion.
Almaty Museum of Arts
Opening Spring 2025
MACAM
Lisbon
Design by Sutton
Courtesy of MACAM.
In dynamic partnership with Armando Martins Museum of Contemporary Art (MACAM), MACAM Hotel sets a new standard for 5-star hospitality. Designed by Sutton, the rapturous establishment will soon thrive within Lisbon’s Alcântara-Belém art district, inviting visitors into a lavish sanctuary of repose and artistic immersion. Constructed in the 18th-century Palácio dos Condes da Ribeira Grande, enhanced by sleek, modern additions, 64 pristine rooms will be brimming with pieces from the MACAM Collection.
Why we love it: Look forward to inspiring amenities such as a visual arts library, 55-seat auditorium, and a revisioned chapel for live performances, poetry readings, and more.
MACAM
March 22, 2025
Thaddaeus Ropac
Milan
Design by Giuseppe Piermarini
Courtesy of Thaddaeus Ropac.
This fall in Milan, the distinguished Thaddaeus Ropac art gallery opens the doors to its newest outpost in the heart of Milan. Executive Director Elena Bonanno di Linguaglossa will be at the helm, sharing her 25 years of know-how in modern and contemporary art. The revived creative epicenter in Palazzo Belgioioso, an architectural piece de resistance in the city, was expertly designed by architect Giuseppe Piermarini, paying respect to the tones and textures of the ever-blossoming city.
Why we love it: The gallery will cascade through two palatial rooms on the first floor of the remarkable building, with exhibition space overflowing into Piazza Belgioioso—a charming public square perfect for showcasing grand sculptures.
Thaddaeus Ropac
Fall 2025
