Modern History: The Artful Revival of Palm Beach’s Norton Museum
Led by legendary architect Lord Norman Foster, the art space debuts an expansive renovation while reconnecting to its South Florida roots.
On February 9, the Norton Museum of Art, one of Palm Beach’s oldest art institutions, reopens to the public after a much-anticipated, eight-year renovation and garden addition designed by award-winning British architectural firm Foster + Partners. The museum houses over 7,000 works in European, American, Chinese art and contemporary art and photography. Take a tour of the stunning redesign.
The Redesigned Museum Facade
Shadowing South Dixie Highway, an 80-year-old, 65-foot tall banyan tree with tremendous roots marks the entrance to the Florida institution. Standing in stark contrast to the gnarled tree is a sleek, reflective metal canopy that heralds a new identity for the 1940s museum. Lord Norman Foster, the founder of Foster + Partners, oversaw the ambitious overhaul and has designed iconic buildings throughout the world, including the Hearst Tower in New York. (Hearst is the parent company of VERANDA; Norton Museum Trustee Gil Maurer, director of the Hearst Foundation and a member of Hearst’s board of directors, helped oversee the project.)
The Museum's Sculpture Garden
Visitors to the redesigned museum will experience an oculus-topped great hall, eight special exhibitions, a 210-seat auditorium for lectures, films, and performances, and a complete reinstallation of the Norton’s permanent collection. Outside, a new 37,200-square-foot garden that features native, sub-tropical plantings and contemporary sculpture throughout deepens the connection between the museum and its Florida surroundings.
The Building's Front Exterior in 1940
The original building, designed by Marion Sims Wyeth to share the art collection of Ralph and Elizabeth Norton with the community, featured a series of Art Deco-inspired pavilions around a central courtyard. Since first opening in 1941, though, the Norton collection outgrew its available gallery space. As the city’s population also expanded, the community remained “sorely culturally underserved,” according to Scott Benarde, director of communications for the Norton.
Remodeled Galleries at the Museum
The expansion includes 12,000 square feet of new gallery space. Beyond enlarging the exhibition capacity, one goal of the Norton renovation was to preserve its history. “The revitalization of the Norton is rooted in revealing and enhancing the original spirit of the building,” Lord Foster said. “Over the years, the museum had lost its sense of identity in the neighborhood."
Installation View of Collection Highlights
Although phase one of the Norton redesign has been completed, museum visitors can expect to see more changes over the next 12 years. The second phase of renovations, which also will be overseen by Foster + Partners, includes yet another expansion.
Sarah DiMarco is the Assistant Editor at VERANDA, covering all things art, design, and travel, and she also manages social media for the brand.
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