L.A. County Approves $234M Phase One of Museum Row Project

Key Points

• $234M phase one approved for upgrades at the La Brea Tar Pits and Page Museum.
• Construction targeted for Fall 2026, with completion expected in 2028.
• Project anchors long-term reinvestment along Mid-Wilshire’s Museum Row.

County Signs Off on First Phase

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has approved the initial phase of a major revamp of the La Brea Tar Pits and the adjoining Page Museum in Mid-Wilshire. The plan follows a master vision designed by Weiss/Manfredi, first approved in early 2025. The project is overseen by the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County, which introduced a revised phasing strategy to move construction forward while fundraising continues.

What Phase One Includes

Phase one centers on modernizing the existing 69,000-square-foot Page Museum, with interior updates to accommodate new mechanical systems and improved seating. Outside, the plan calls for reshaping and expanding berms to support outdoor learning areas and clearer access points across the 13-acre campus. Additional work includes refreshed lighting, signage, landscaping, and site furniture, aimed at improving circulation and the overall visitor experience without altering the site’s core layout.

What’s Pushed Back

Several major elements remain part of the long-term vision but will not be built in the first phase. New entrance pavilions along Wilshire Boulevard and 6th Street, expanded walkways, a dedicated research building, and the relocation of the on-site parking lot are all deferred to later stages. County staff framed the approach as a way to lock in momentum while keeping near-term costs under control.

Funding and Construction Timeline

The first phase carries a projected cost of $234 million, including $22 million in direct county funding. The Los Angeles County Museum and Natural History Foundation has already raised or secured pledges exceeding $105 million toward the remaining balance. Construction is expected to begin in September 2026 and conclude by June 2028. The full master plan is projected to roll out over roughly seven years, keeping construction activity active along Museum Row well into the next decade.

Bigger Picture for Mid-Wilshire

The Tar Pits revamp lands amid heavy public investment nearby. Next door, the Los Angeles County Museum of Artis advancing the David Geffen Galleries, while Metro’s D Line extension is nearing completion along Wilshire Boulevard.  For landlords and investors, sustained cultural and transit investment in Mid-Wilshire tends to support long-term demand, tourism-driven foot traffic, and value stability across surrounding retail and multifamily assets.

Bottom Line
With phase one approved, Los Angeles County is committing real capital to one of its most iconic sites, setting up years of construction and continued public investment along Museum Row. For property owners nearby, the long-term upside is already taking shape