State board votes to recommend approval of VMFA expansion project

vmfa expansion rendering 1

The proposed McGlothlin Wing II at the VMFA would add 173,000 square feet to the museum as part of a $261 million project that also involves renovations to existing spaces at the museum. (Images courtesy SmithGroup)

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is a step closer to building a massive new addition.

The state’s Art and Architectural Review Board (AARB) voted Friday to recommend approval of the VMFA’s design for a new 173,000-square-foot wing on the museum’s southwest end.

Last week’s decision followed the AARB’s rejection of the museum’s design plan in December, where some board members expressed concerns about the size of the new wing in addition to other issues.

The proposed McGlothlin Wing II would introduce additional gallery space to the state-owned VMFA for American, African and contemporary art, among other facilities.

The $261 million project had previously been approved by the General Assembly. In addition to new gallery space, the project would feature renovations to 45,000 square feet of existing spaces at the museum on Arthur Ashe Boulevard.

AARB members and the VMFA’s design team discussed the new wing for more than two hours prior to the board’s vote on Friday.

SmithGroup, the architecture firm tapped to handle the project, came to the meeting with a design proposal virtually the same as the one pitched last month, though tweaks were made to the lighting of the new wing and more details about the design were shared with the board.

AARB member Jill Nolt said SmithGroup didn’t go far enough in addressing concerns about the scale and appearance of the new wing, which would be built overlooking the intersection of Grove and Colonial avenues in the city’s Museum District. She felt the design remained too blocky, and criticized the team’s decision not to highlight the findings of studies done in response to the board’s previous comments.

“It would have been helpful for you to share that, so we can see your process of what you rejected, because what we’re seeing here is that you rejected our comments,” Nolt said.

The design team said it was limited in what it could do regarding the project’s size due to factors such as a high water table, the need to build a firewall between the new construction and existing museum and the need to create large, contiguous interior spaces suitable for galleries. The design was also intended to minimize encroachment on the E. Claiborne and Lora Robins Sculpture Garden.

“The only expansion opportunities for the building is either to go vertically or to go horizontally toward the garden. And we feel that the current configuration of the building we have is the best balance in reconciling the massing, that really minimizes impact on the sculpture garden and keeps the building as low as possible,” said Dayton Schroeter of SmithGroup.

vmfa expansion rendering 2

A new of the west-side exterior of the McGlothlin Wing II expansion planned for the VMFA.

The AARB voted 4-0-1 to recommend approval. Lynden Garland, the board’s chairman and an architect at SmithGroup, abstained from the vote. VMFA Board of Trustees member Anne Smith, who is on the AARB, wasn’t present at the meeting.

The proposal now heads to the Department of General Services director for a final decision following the vote by the AARB, which is an advisory board to the governor’s office and provides recommendations on the design of state-owned buildings such as the VMFA.

The DGS director is expected to make a decision in the next few days, according to a department spokeswoman. Approval would clear the way to the start of construction on the new wing. Renovation work on the existing space is already underway.

Two people spoke in support of the VMFA project during the public comment period held before the vote, including former city councilman Andreas Addison.

Two people, one through a letter read aloud by Garland at the meeting, shared their opposition during the hearing.

vmfa rendering grove 1

A rendering of the VMFA expansion project, as seen from Grove Avenue.

The new wing is planned for a site next to the addition built in 1985. The project would include a vertical fire barrier between the two wings, which requires the demolition of a non-public terrace and perimeter wall.

The expansion has five levels above grade and a fully screened penthouse at the top, as well as one level below grade. The project design team said that the site’s water table prevents additional underground levels from being built.

The wing’s exterior facades will feature a mixture of flare and concaved, insulated glass. There would also be concave pre-cast panels and perforated aluminum brise soleils, which are intended to help the building stay cool during hot weather.

The VMFA says the project, once completed, will allow the museum to display more art and accommodate more visitors. The new wing would have about 30,000 square feet of American art gallery space, in addition to about 8,600 square feet devoted to African art and another 12,400 square feet of contemporary art gallery space.

vmfa rendering grove 2

The VMFA’s expansion and renovation project would add another eatery concept to the art museum.

Also involved in the project is a new 12,000-square-foot special exhibition gallery suite in the new wing. The VMFA would also construct a special events venue with seating for 500 people. There would also be a cafe and bar that would be the fourth eatery to operate at the VMFA. Existing eateries consist of Amuse restaurant, Best Cafe and tea shop Floris.

The VMFA has said it intends to break ground on the new wing in late 2025 and open it in 2028. The museum plans to stay open during the project, which is being funded with state money and donations to the VMFA. Gilbane Building Co. is the project’s construction manager.

The VMFA calls the new project the largest in its history, and the project is the fifth expansion at the museum since it opened in 1936.

The museum started design work on the project in 2021, and has since conducted public outreach efforts to inform the project. In 2022, the VMFA anticipated the project would cost $190 million, and while the scope of the project has remained the same since then, the cost has increased due to elevated construction costs in recent years.

vmfa expansion rendering 1

The proposed McGlothlin Wing II at the VMFA would add 173,000 square feet to the museum as part of a $261 million project that also involves renovations to existing spaces at the museum. (Images courtesy SmithGroup)

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is a step closer to building a massive new addition.

The state’s Art and Architectural Review Board (AARB) voted Friday to recommend approval of the VMFA’s design for a new 173,000-square-foot wing on the museum’s southwest end.

Last week’s decision followed the AARB’s rejection of the museum’s design plan in December, where some board members expressed concerns about the size of the new wing in addition to other issues.

The proposed McGlothlin Wing II would introduce additional gallery space to the state-owned VMFA for American, African and contemporary art, among other facilities.

The $261 million project had previously been approved by the General Assembly. In addition to new gallery space, the project would feature renovations to 45,000 square feet of existing spaces at the museum on Arthur Ashe Boulevard.

AARB members and the VMFA’s design team discussed the new wing for more than two hours prior to the board’s vote on Friday.

SmithGroup, the architecture firm tapped to handle the project, came to the meeting with a design proposal virtually the same as the one pitched last month, though tweaks were made to the lighting of the new wing and more details about the design were shared with the board.

AARB member Jill Nolt said SmithGroup didn’t go far enough in addressing concerns about the scale and appearance of the new wing, which would be built overlooking the intersection of Grove and Colonial avenues in the city’s Museum District. She felt the design remained too blocky, and criticized the team’s decision not to highlight the findings of studies done in response to the board’s previous comments.

“It would have been helpful for you to share that, so we can see your process of what you rejected, because what we’re seeing here is that you rejected our comments,” Nolt said.

The design team said it was limited in what it could do regarding the project’s size due to factors such as a high water table, the need to build a firewall between the new construction and existing museum and the need to create large, contiguous interior spaces suitable for galleries. The design was also intended to minimize encroachment on the E. Claiborne and Lora Robins Sculpture Garden.

“The only expansion opportunities for the building is either to go vertically or to go horizontally toward the garden. And we feel that the current configuration of the building we have is the best balance in reconciling the massing, that really minimizes impact on the sculpture garden and keeps the building as low as possible,” said Dayton Schroeter of SmithGroup.

vmfa expansion rendering 2

A new of the west-side exterior of the McGlothlin Wing II expansion planned for the VMFA.

The AARB voted 4-0-1 to recommend approval. Lynden Garland, the board’s chairman and an architect at SmithGroup, abstained from the vote. VMFA Board of Trustees member Anne Smith, who is on the AARB, wasn’t present at the meeting.

The proposal now heads to the Department of General Services director for a final decision following the vote by the AARB, which is an advisory board to the governor’s office and provides recommendations on the design of state-owned buildings such as the VMFA.

The DGS director is expected to make a decision in the next few days, according to a department spokeswoman. Approval would clear the way to the start of construction on the new wing. Renovation work on the existing space is already underway.

Two people spoke in support of the VMFA project during the public comment period held before the vote, including former city councilman Andreas Addison.

Two people, one through a letter read aloud by Garland at the meeting, shared their opposition during the hearing.

vmfa rendering grove 1

A rendering of the VMFA expansion project, as seen from Grove Avenue.

The new wing is planned for a site next to the addition built in 1985. The project would include a vertical fire barrier between the two wings, which requires the demolition of a non-public terrace and perimeter wall.

The expansion has five levels above grade and a fully screened penthouse at the top, as well as one level below grade. The project design team said that the site’s water table prevents additional underground levels from being built.

The wing’s exterior facades will feature a mixture of flare and concaved, insulated glass. There would also be concave pre-cast panels and perforated aluminum brise soleils, which are intended to help the building stay cool during hot weather.

The VMFA says the project, once completed, will allow the museum to display more art and accommodate more visitors. The new wing would have about 30,000 square feet of American art gallery space, in addition to about 8,600 square feet devoted to African art and another 12,400 square feet of contemporary art gallery space.

vmfa rendering grove 2

The VMFA’s expansion and renovation project would add another eatery concept to the art museum.

Also involved in the project is a new 12,000-square-foot special exhibition gallery suite in the new wing. The VMFA would also construct a special events venue with seating for 500 people. There would also be a cafe and bar that would be the fourth eatery to operate at the VMFA. Existing eateries consist of Amuse restaurant, Best Cafe and tea shop Floris.

The VMFA has said it intends to break ground on the new wing in late 2025 and open it in 2028. The museum plans to stay open during the project, which is being funded with state money and donations to the VMFA. Gilbane Building Co. is the project’s construction manager.

The VMFA calls the new project the largest in its history, and the project is the fifth expansion at the museum since it opened in 1936.

The museum started design work on the project in 2021, and has since conducted public outreach efforts to inform the project. In 2022, the VMFA anticipated the project would cost $190 million, and while the scope of the project has remained the same since then, the cost has increased due to elevated construction costs in recent years.

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Landon Edwards
Landon Edwards
24 days ago

Pretty cozy relationships at work… AARB chairman is an architect at the firm “tapped to handle the project.” And a museum trustee is on the AARB board. After a little bit of squabbling that sounds to be mostly for show, $261 million of taxpayer funds will add 173,000 sq. ft. of space to a museum that is not open to the public without charge. Because art is not free. Or cheap!

Christian Nulty
Christian Nulty
24 days ago
Reply to  Landon Edwards

The VMFA is free

Kate Bishop
Kate Bishop
24 days ago
Reply to  Landon Edwards

VMFA’s permanent collection is open and free to the public every day.

Last edited 24 days ago by Kate Bishop
Justin Reynolds
Justin Reynolds
24 days ago
Reply to  Landon Edwards

Landon, what is your point and why is it surprising an architect is on an architectural review board? VMFA is open 365 days a year, it’s free to the public, and this addition to the museum was approved in a bipartisan vote of the General Assembly (and signed by the Governor).

Landon Edwards
Landon Edwards
23 days ago
Reply to  Landon Edwards

I stand corrected… a portion of the museum is free to the public.

Justin Reynolds
Justin Reynolds
23 days ago
Reply to  Landon Edwards

100% of the VMFA’s collection is free and open to the public. They pay to bring special collections we would not otherwise have access to locally and therefore those are not free.

Brian King
Brian King
23 days ago

I‘m curious what Edwin Slipek’s opinion of the exterior? The rendering resembles the buildings at the former Reynolds Metals campus. But, hey it’s only taxpayer’s money funding the VMFA while Richmond goes without water. Misplaced priorities my good people.

Chris Crews
Chris Crews
22 days ago
Reply to  Brian King

Not all of the funding. There are also sizeable private investments and endowments.