Residents of The Richmont Square Apartments in Montrose were notified on Monday that their units were slated for the wrecking ball, and were given until May 1 to find new accommodations. The demolition is one component of the first phase of the Menil Collection's master plan, which will see the museum expanded and the area transformed with new art buildings, parks and roadway improvements.
The foundation that runs the Menil Collection has owned the apartments since 1981. Some of the building has already been knocked down; 320 units remain, according to the Houston Chronicle. Work to extend West Main Street has already begun.
As part of the expansion, the museum will launch the Menil Drawing Institute, the first freestanding museum in the US to offer the exhibition, study, storage and conservation of artworks on paper. The new 30k SF facility has a price tag of $40M.
London-based David Chipperfield Architects designed the master plan, which includes additional phases and buildings that the museum said will take 20 to 25 years to complete. The design will realize John and Dominique de Menil’s original vision for the museum. [Chron]
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