Toronto's ROM Is Getting A Huge Makeover With Redesigned Spaces & Free Admission
Here's what to know.
Rendering of newly designed interior at the Royal Ontario Museum.
One of Toronto's iconic landmarks is getting a big makeover. The Royal Ontario Museum has just announced the launch of a new project that will totally transform the attraction.
The initiative, dubbed OpenROM, will give the Museum a huge upgrade and make it easier for everyone to enjoy. According to a press release, the project "will dramatically open the Museum up even more to the public, creating a thriving cultural and civic hub in the heart of the city."
So what can visitors expect? Some big changes include a redesigned main floor and an updated Bloor Street entrance, as well as a new outdoor water feature that wraps around the heritage façade and transforms with each season.
OpenROMwww.youtube.com
Once construction is finished, OpenROM will introduce year-round free admission to the Museum's entire main floor, inspired by the summer-long Free Main Floor pilot program. Visitors can also enjoy unlimited access to special programming, live performances, and hands-on activities.
"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," Josh Basseches, ROM Director & CEO said in the release.
"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."
The project will transform a total of 86,000 square feet on the main floor and add an additional 6,000 square feet of new gallery space on the second and third levels.
You can expect a bright, open foyer complete with a circular portal in the ceiling that offers views of the dinosaur exhibits above. Hennick Commons, the new heart of the Museum, will feature a four-storey atrium and glass ceiling along with spaces for regular performances, hands-on experiences and more.
The area will also be home to a new multi-level lily pad staircase complete with overlooks.
OpenROM was kickstarted by a $50-million donation from the Hennick Family Foundation, which is the single largest cash gift in ROM's history.
Construction is slated to start in 2024 and is expected to take 3 years to complete. Don't worry, the Museum will still be open to visitors during this time.
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.