Dali Museum unveils $65 million expansion in downtown St. Pete
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The Dali Museum is preparing for a major expansion that will bring new galleries, learning spaces, and immersive art experiences to its downtown St. Pete waterfront campus.
Museum officials unveiled plans on Wednesday for a $65 million expansion that will add approximately 35,000 square feet to the property at 1 Dali Boulevard.
Construction is expected to begin in fall 2026, with the new spaces scheduled to open to the public in 2028.
The expansion will introduce flexible gallery spaces designed for immersive exhibitions that blend art and technology, a dedicated learning center for K–12 students and adult education programs, and new community event spaces for gatherings and cultural programming.
“We are creating a museum that will stand with the great cultural institutions of the world, prepared to meet the expectations of today’s visitors and the curiosity of those who will walk through these doors decades from now,” said Hank Hine, executive director of The Dali Museum. “This is a defining moment for our institution and for St. Petersburg. It’s not about being bigger; it’s about being bolder.”
By day, expansive new gallery space extends Dalí’s story through innovative, interactive art experiences | Beck Architecture, Harvard Jolly/PBK, and Yann Weymouth
The addition will be built primarily on the south side of the museum between the existing building and Dali Boulevard, with a small portion extending to the west side.
The expansion was designed by Beck Architecture in collaboration with Yann Weymouth of Harvard Jolly/PBK.
“Like Dali’s work, the architecture invites a double take, rewarding curiosity and encouraging visitors to slow down and look again,” said Trevor Lamphier, design principal at The Beck Group.
Funding for the project will come from a combination of private donations, corporate sponsorships and grants, and a $25 million tourist development tax grant awarded by Visit St. Pete-Clearwater in 2024 through its “From Visitors with Love” initiative.
Full open Learning Center space holds 300 people for large programs, during and after Museum hours | Beck Architecture, Harvard Jolly/PBK, and Yann Weymouth
“The Dali Museum is a cultural engine for this community and a cornerstone of St. Petersburg’s global identity,” said Brian Lowack, president and CEO of Visit St. Pete-Clearwater. “Investments like this strengthen the identity that defines our region and attracts visitors from around the world.”
The museum will remain open during construction, and officials said they have coordinated planning with nearby partners such as the Mahaffey Theater and organizers of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg to ensure continued access to the area.
A 3D model of the proposed expansion will debut Saturday, May 2nd as part of The Architecture of The Dali, a special exhibition exploring the museum’s architectural history and future vision.
Since opening its current waterfront building in 2011, The Dali Museum has contributed more than $1 billion in economic impact to the local economy.
Aerial view highlighting the Museum’s campus expansion and new building footprint
In recent years alone, the museum has generated more than $100 million annually, including $53 million in direct spending that supports local businesses, jobs and tourism.
Looking ahead, the museum projects the expansion could generate more than $3 billion in economic impact over the next decade while attracting millions of additional visitors to the region.
The museum currently houses more than 2,400 works by Dali, making it one of the largest collections of the artist’s work outside of Spain.
The project will also play a key role in the broader Center for the Arts expansion, a long-term effort aimed at strengthening the cultural campus around the Mahaffey Theater, The Florida Orchestra, and the city’s downtown waterfront.
Museum and event guests can enjoy views of the Tampa Bay waterfront on the expansive terrace | Beck Architecture, Harvard Jolly/PBK, and Yann Weymouth
