Meanwhile, London’s National Gallery has launched an international competition for a bold new wing known as the “Tomorrow Project”, with an estimated investment of more than £375 million (about €433 million). This new wing will rise on the Saint Vincent House site, relieving pressure on overcrowded areas, integrating modern works, and rejuvenating the district between Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square. The design will improve security, conservation, and accessibility, while creating a visitor experience that balances heritage with contemporary art narratives.
The Louvre is undertaking perhaps the most ambitious overhaul of all. With a projected investment close to €800 million, the museum is preparing its largest transformation since I.M. Pei’s iconic glass pyramid of the 1980s. The plan includes a full modernization of plumbing and climate-control systems, flood defenses to counter the rising Seine, and a brand-new east-side entrance (the Colonnade by Claude Perrault) to ease pressure on the pyramid. A purpose-built underground gallery will allow visitors to view the Mona Lisa more comfortably and efficiently. As part of its “New Renaissance” plan, the Louvre is also considering higher ticket prices, particularly for visitors from outside the European Union, along with interactive digital tours and immersive experiences. The full project is scheduled to be completed by 2031.
Several powerful factors drive these large-scale investments. Climate change is an immediate concern, as more frequent extreme weather and rising river levels threaten priceless artworks and historic structures. Equally urgent is the surge in global tourism. Overcrowding has led to long lines, visitor frustration, and even risks to the artworks themselves, as seen in the daily throngs around the Mona Lisa or Las Meninas.
These museums must also secure long-term financial sustainability. Conservation alone is no longer enough; they must diversify revenue, reach wider audiences, and ensure that each visit feels unique and rewarding. That means rethinking the museum experience: adding digital technology, immersive routes, gathering spaces, cafés, shops, and auditoriums—all while preserving the core mission of protecting and sharing art.
Not everyone welcomes these changes uncritically. Critics warn that higher prices and a stronger focus on foreign tourists could make these institutions less accessible to local communities. Some cultural observers fear that the drive to entertain might overshadow the educational and contemplative purpose of museums, turning them into commercial attractions rather than temples of art.
Nevertheless, action is unavoidable. The Prado, the Louvre, and the National Gallery find themselves at a crossroads: they must conserve their heritage, manage overwhelming crowds, adapt to climate pressures, and ensure economic resilience without betraying their founding ideals. Their sweeping renovations mark the beginning of a new era in museum design—one in which architecture, sustainability, technology, and the visitor experience are inseparably intertwined.
