Academy Museum Rendering - H 2015
©Renzo Piano Building Workshop/©A.M.P.A.S.The Los Angeles City Council has given its blessing to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, which the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has proposed building on the site of the former May Company Building at the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Fairfax Ave.
The $300 million project, which hopes to open its doors to the public by 2017, received unanimous approval from the council, which voted 13-0 in its favor at a meeting Wednesday. Construction will begin this summer, with a ceremonial ground-breaking taking place in the fall.
“I am thrilled that Los Angeles is gaining another architectural and cultural icon,” Mayor Eric Garcetti said in an announcement issued by the Academy. “My office of economic development has worked directly with the museum’s development team to ensure that the Academy of Motion Pictures will create jobs, support tourism, and pay homage to the industry that helped define our identity as the creative capital of the world.”
“We are grateful to our incredible community of supporters who have helped make this museum a reality,” said Academy CEO Dawn Hudson. “Building this museum has been an Academy goal for many years and we wouldn’t be here today without our neighbors on Museum Row, our board of governors, our current and past Academy presidents, members, and, of course, our generous donors.”
“I couldn’t think of a better home for the Academy Museum than Museum Row. The museum will be an iconic addition to our city and will inspire generations to come,” said Councilmember Tom LaBonge, during the final days of his 14 years representing Council District 4, which includes the Academy Museum site on the Miracle Mile.
