On February 14, 2024, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) announced the launch of OpenROM, a multi-year renovation catalyzed by a $50-million donation from the Hennick Family Foundation – the single largest cash gift in the museum’s history.
The project aims to enhance visitor access and engagement, while depending the ROM’s connection to the city.
Image via ROM
“OpenROM is more than a physical transformation; it is a major leap forward in the Museum’s ongoing evolution to becoming an even more welcoming and accessible space,” says Josh Basseches, ROM Director & CEO. “This is an opportunity to truly throw the doors of the Museum open, both literally and figuratively, and invite more people in to experience all ROM has to offer. We want people from down the block and around the world to feel like this is a place for them, where they are inspired and belong.”
Designed by Toronto-based Hariri Pontarini Architects, the project features an extensive renovation of the Daniel Libeskind-designed Michael Lee-Chin Crystal, which was originally completed in 2008.
“We’re going to re-introduce ROM to Toronto with a design that, in effect, turns the Museum inside out,” says Siamak Hariri. “We’re going to bring daylight and views deep inside and create new connections with Bloor Street, within the ground floor public spaces and the galleries themselves.”
Image via ROM
Key highlights of OpenROM include the reimagining of 86,000ft² on the main floor, and a new four storey atrium and forum. These spaces will be accessible by the public free of charge, where audiences can enjoy regular performances, programs, and hands-on experiences. An additional 6,000ft² of new gallery space is also planned on the museum’s second and third levels.
Image via ROM
“We are honoured to serve as catalyst donors for a transformational vision for the Royal Ontario Museum,” say Jay and Barbara Hennick. “OpenROM reimagines the visitor experience and will help to revitalize civic life in our great city. It's finally time for the ROM to take its rightful place among the very best museums in the world”.
Image via ROM
On the museum’s exterior, a redesigned Bloor Street entrance named the 'Hennick Entrance', will be sheltered by an expansive bronze canopy and feature seamless floor-to-ceiling glass windows offering pedestrians with views into the building. New landscaping and a water feature surrounding the museums existing heritage facade are also planned.
Image via ROM
“This cherished cultural institution offers exhibits and programming that appeals to all ages and interests," says Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. "OpenROM will enable Canada’s largest museum to welcome even more visitors – fostering community, learning and cultural connections. I look forward to the completion of this project and seeing firsthand the many benefits that it will offer the people of Ontario."
Image via ROM
Construction on OpenROM is slated to begin immediately, with a targeted completion date of 2027. The museum will remain open to visitors throughout construction.
...
About ROM
Opened in 1914, ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) showcases art, culture, and nature from around the world and across the ages. Today, ROM houses more than 13 million objects, from Egyptian mummies to contemporary sculpture, from meteorites to dinosaurs. ROM is the most visited museum in Canada and one of the top ten museums in North America. It is also the country’s preeminent field research institute, with a diverse range of experts who help us understand the past, make sense of the present, and shape a shared future. Just as impressive is ROM’s facility—a striking combination of heritage architecture and the cutting-edge Michael Lee-Chin Crystal, which marks the Museum as an iconic landmark and global cultural destination.
