Frank Gehry's Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Nears Construction on Saadiyat Island
Construction of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, designed by Frank Gehry, is finally set to commence after a series of delays. This museum, situated on Saadiyat Island and bordered by the Persian Gulf, is expected to take approximately four years to complete, although an official opening date has not been disclosed. Richard Armstrong, the Guggenheim Foundation's director, confirmed that the 30,000-square-meter structure will incorporate Gehry's distinctive gallery clusters and sustainable features tailored for the desert environment. The museum aims to showcase a comprehensive narrative of art history, emphasizing Middle Eastern art from the 20th and 21st centuries. Saadiyat Island's cultural district also includes the Louvre Abu Dhabi, which opened in 2017, and the nearly finished Zayed National Museum, with the overall project budgeted at £18 billion, impacted by oil price changes.
Key facts
- Frank Gehry designed the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island.
- The museum is surrounded on three sides by the Persian Gulf.
- Richard Armstrong confirmed construction will start and last about four years.
- The building covers 30,000 square meters with a covered courtyard.
- Sustainable features include natural cooling and wind towers.
- The collection focuses on art from the 1960s to present, especially Middle Eastern art.
- Saadiyat Island also hosts the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum.
- The development budget is £18 billion, delayed by oil price fluctuations.
Entities
Artists
- Frank Gehry
- Zaha Hadid
- Tadao Ando
Institutions
- Guggenheim Foundation
- Tourism Development Investment Corporation (TDIC)
- Louvre Abu Dhabi
- Zayed National Museum
- British Museum
- Zaha Hadid Architects
- Artribune
Locations
- Abu Dhabi
- United Arab Emirates
- Saadiyat Island
- Persian Gulf
- Middle East
- Bilbao