Denver Art Museum Receives $25 Million Donation for Revitalization of Gio Ponti Designed North Building
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The Denver Art Museum today announced the largest-ever donation in the institution’s history: a $25 million gift from Board Chairman J. Landis Martin and his wife Sharon Martin, intended to help revitalize and enhance the museum’s North Building. ThDenver Art Museum Receives $25 Million Donation for Revitalization of Gio Ponti Designed North Building
The Denver Art Museum today announced the largest-ever donation in the institution’s history: a $25 million gift from Board Chairman J. Landis Martin and his wife Sharon Martin, intended to help revitalize and enhance the museum’s North Building. The seven-storey structure, inaugurated in 1971, is the only project by Italian modernist architect Gio Ponti ever to be constructed in the United States, and was one of the first-ever high-rise art museums.Over-all costs for the planned revitalization of the iconic structure under the helm of Fentress Architects and Machado Silvetti are estimated at approximately $150 million, with construction intended to start by the end of 2017, and completion scheduled for 2021, when the building celebrates its 50th anniversary. In appreciation of the couple’s engagement it will be renamed the J. Landis and Sharon Martin Building, according to the museum.“The Martins’ longstanding commitment to our campus, major programs, special exhibitions and collection acquisitions has elevated the museum to a national and international destination,” Christoph Heinrich, the Frederick and Jan Mayer Director of the museum said in a statement. “Their lead gift in renovating the North Building, a Civic Center anchor and modernist gem, will launch a new era for the museum and ensure the highest quality programs and service to more than 700,000 annual visitors.” “The North Building is considered one of the most significant objects in the museum’s collection, and our family is honored to support the much-needed rehabilitation required to bring it into the 21st century,” Lanny Martin replied. “The Denver Art Museum is a beacon of creativity, representing the incredible depth of the cultural community in our region and it is critical that we continue to invest in it for the benefit of the entire community.” Read more