The Center Pompidou, a major cultural attraction in Paris, will close for 5 years starting in 2025 for a massive renovation.

Located in the center of the city, Pompidou – officially Georges-Pompidou National Center for Arts and Culture – is a fiercely modern building that opened 50 years ago. In 2022, the Pompidou attracted more than 3 million visitors.

The exterior is a swirling series of pipes and conduits that make it look like the building is turned inside out. Inside, the Pompidou has art galleries, a library and a restaurant.

Since its opening, the center has become an influential voice in contemporary art. For example, Pompidou recently opened the first museum exhibition dedicated to works related to new NFT technology.

Refurbishment will address issues such as corrosion and other problems related to general deterioration. But Pompidou’s directors are also undertaking the project because they also have ambitious expansion plans for its future.

The Pompidou will add 20,000 square meters of underground space by expanding into a former bus garage. The new spaces will include cinemas, as well as spaces for multidisciplinary exhibitions and contemporary creativity.

On the first floor, there will be a “new generation center” and a large restaurant, he says The Art Newspaper.

While the Pompidou will retain elements such as the Library of Public Information and its National Museum of Modern Art, they will also be renovated and updated. In addition, a new terrace will be opened on the 7th floor, which will offer the public a view of western Paris.

In a press conference and press release explaining the motivation for the project, center officials said the goal of the renovation and expansion is to strengthen the central spirit of the Pompidou while also improving the experience for visitors.

“Crossing disciplinary boundaries has established the artistic singularity and DNA of the Center since its inception”, according to a press release. “This multidisciplinarity allows him to be in constant contact with the challenges of society. The center echoes and follows current creativity… Putting every visitor at the center of the project is a continuation of the tradition… Betting on sincere hospitality means not saturating the exhibition space in order to increase the quality of the presentation of works.”

The closure will begin in late 2024 and be completed in 2025. The Pompidou was originally scheduled to close last year, but plans were changed to remain open during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Renovation work now begins in 2026. according to the RFI.

The French government allocated 262 million euros for the project, and Pompidou’s directors are trying to raise an additional 160 million euros.

Due to the project’s timeline, the center will not be open for the 50th anniversary celebration in 2027. However, many of its projects and exhibits will be relocated to other locations and accessible to the public.

For example, French Culture Minister Rima Abdul Malak recently announced that Paris’s Grand Palais will become a temporary home for some of Pompidou’s exhibitions and projects, according to The Art Newspaper. The Pompidou developed a similar partnership with the Louvre to host some works.