Paul Ognibene Urban Spaces CEO is pleased to announce the Peabody Essex Museum’s recent, 40,000- square foot additional wing on September 28th. The recent expansion is a major component of a $650 million campaign and the result of approximately three years of renovation and construction. The new addition includes; 15,000 square feet worth of gallery space, a school and group tour entryway, an illuminated atrium and 5,000 square feet of gardens carefully designed by Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects.
The expansion was designed by Ennead with an emphasis placed on visitor engagement, as there has been an observable decline in art museum attendance in recent years. Paul Ognibene Urban Spaces real estate expert notes that, with the rich history of PEM, there is a profound interest in maintaining the relevance of the space with these additions. When inquired about the thought that went into the expansion, deputy director and curator Lynda Hartigan stated that an on-staff neuroscientist was consulted in the interest of assistance with planning. This is because The Peabody Essex Museum had a particular interest in guiding the flow of visitors in order to make sure that, while they could be sure to see all of what the museum has to offer, they would also be able to “have some surprises along the way and some things you can linger with.” These surprises ensure that PEM, the oldest continuously operating museum in the United States, has a few tricks up its sleeve when it comes to keeping visitors happy and intrigued with the scenery.
As much as Paul Ognibene Urban Spaces CEO and Cambridge realtor is interested in the present developments of the museum, he and PEM staff are already looking towards the future and subsequent additions that are underway. Of them, include additions to nearly all the exhibits currently within the museum, as a $16 million project is underway to add new installations by as soon as 2021.
Paul Ognibene CEO 