Building Expansion

Major Features

Surrounding Site

The Tampa Museum of Art’s surrounding site will be redefined to create new riverfront public terraces and landscapes. A new gateway plaza is introduced on Cass Street that frames the entrance to Curtis Hixon Park. The plaza is bookended by large and small dog parks on both sides. As a continuation of Tampa’s Riverwalk, a sloped walk will bring pedestrians down to the river edge from the ground floor level. An outdoor amphitheater outside the Museum’s auditorium will serve as a shaded place for people to gather. With new native planting and shade trees, the Museum’s ground floor terrace will be accessible from Riverwalk. The goal of the landscape enhancement is to shape a seamless and integrated public experience around the Museum and the park.

Lobby

The new lobby is accessible from both Curtis Hixon Park and Gasparilla Plaza. It will enhance the visitor experience with almost 12,000 square feet of space dedicated to a new covered entrance, lobby, store, and café. With an 18’-ceiling height, art can be displayed here. A café with a capacity of 40 seats indoor and outdoor tables will be situated on the west side of the lobby. At night, the lobby and south terrace can be used as an event space with bar stations dispersed throughout the space.

Auditorium

With exterior glazing along its West façade, the 150-seat auditorium overlooks the Hillsborough River, providing an inside-outside visual connection that defines the space. Equipped with a green room, sprung floor, projectors, AV system, and theatrical lighting, a range of events can be accommodated here: lectures, recitals, and multimedia performances. The space is lined with acoustic wood panels and acoustically isolated from the event space above. A pre-function space will serve as a flexible swing space on the mezzanine level before and after events.

Art Lounge

Situated on the second floor with a view of the sculpture terrace and downtown Tampa, the art lounge will be open to the public during museum hours. Light refreshments and museum merchandise will be available at the bar, and the lounge will serve as a pre-function space during events.

Large Event Space

The Large Event Space features a panoramic view of downtown Tampa, Hillsborough River, and Straz Center. With a 30’-tall ceiling equipped with a flexible AV and lighting system, the Large Event Space can host a myriad of events transforming from a flexible multimedia gallery space to a private event space that can accommodate a seated dinner for 500 people and a dance floor. The adjacent catering kitchen will service the space when used for private events.

Sculpture Terrace

The new sculpture terrace connects the existing Sullivan Terrace and the expansion’s second floor. The design will allow sculptures on display to be visible from the Riverwalk.

Rooftop Event Space and Terrace

On the fourth floor, the event space will open directly to the terrace. A bar and demonstration kitchen will be incorporated in the room for various programs: culinary classes, board meetings, and museum events. At the roof terrace, a canopy with a circular oculus provides shading.

Income Generation Spaces

The expansion will triple the amount of space available for special event rentals to sustain the Museum’s mission and growing popularity. The new expansion significantly increases the Museum’s special events and food services capacity. The new lobby will accommodate different types of events, which can spill out to the expanded terrace and engage the park. The design sets a waterfront café with outdoor seating on the western front of the lobby, easily accessible from the Riverwalk.