The Vero Beach Museum of Art in Florida is set to undergo a major transformation with an ambitious $85 million expansion and renovation project designed by Allied Works Architecture and Unknown Studio Landscape Architecture & Urban Design. The project will replace the current single-story facility with a striking new two-story, 90,000-square-foot building that promises to more than double the museum's exhibition space while creating seamless connections between art, architecture, and landscape.
Since 1986, the Vero Beach Museum of Art has established itself as one of the most highly attended small museums in the United States. The facility currently showcases works by renowned artists including Deborah Butterfield and other American sculptors on its verdant lawns, while its galleries house pieces by Andrew Wyeth, David Hockney, and Christo and Jeanne-Claude. Three years ago, Allied Works was selected to lead the expansion project that will transform the museum campus.
"The design for the VBMA's new campus manifests the materiality of the region and creates an open and immersive setting where art, landscape, and architecture are seamlessly entwined," said Brad Cloepfil, Allied Works' founding principal. "More than just a museum, the new VBMA becomes a profound statement of place—an open invitation to all." The Baltimore-based Unknown Studio Landscape Architecture & Urban Design is collaborating on the project to ensure the landscape design complements the architectural vision.
The new building's design features interconnected rectangular volumes housing galleries, program spaces, and exterior courtyards, all defined by walled gardens, terraces, and courtyards. The architects have prioritized visual connectivity between indoor and outdoor spaces through ample fenestration, while native trees and plantings will populate the exterior areas. Distinctive metal screens will add both scale and decorative elements to the building's blue-tinted concrete facades, creating a structure that reflects the regional character while maintaining contemporary appeal.
The facility's layout has been carefully planned across two floors to maximize functionality and visitor experience. The first floor will house a café, children's art zone, auditorium, and community spaces clustered near the Modern and Contemporary gallery. An education wing will also occupy the ground level, featuring dedicated learning spaces for painting, ceramics, and other artistic disciplines. The second floor will contain the museum's primary exhibition areas, including collection galleries, a sculpture gallery, and special exhibition spaces, all positioned to maintain visual connections with the lobby and community areas below.
Interior design elements will enhance the visitor experience throughout the facility. Transition spaces between galleries will be lined with white tile, creating clean, neutral pathways that allow artwork to take center stage. The future welcome area will feature a sophisticated mix of textures that establish an inviting atmosphere for visitors. The elevated gallery spaces will offer panoramic views while maintaining the intimate scale appropriate for the museum's collection.
The expansion will significantly enhance the museum's capacity to serve its growing visitorship. In addition to more than doubling the exhibition space, the new facility will include a dedicated education wing, purpose-built studios, and a flexible auditorium and community room designed to accommodate various programs and events. Importantly, the new building will have a smaller footprint than the existing structure, allowing for additional green space that will benefit both the museum and the broader community.
Construction on the transformative project is scheduled to begin this fall, with completion expected in 2027. Parts of the existing building will be retained and repurposed for practical functions including art storage, shipping, and receiving, ensuring continuity of operations during the transition period. The project represents a significant investment in the cultural infrastructure of Vero Beach and promises to establish the museum as an even more prominent destination for art lovers throughout Florida and beyond.
