The final major building designed by the late Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, has been photographed approaching completion on Saadiyat Island in the UAE.
Situated within the island’s cultural district, the highly anticipated museum will span 42,000 square metres. Once finished, it will stand as the largest of the four Guggenheim museums, joining Gehry’s acclaimed Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.
This project marks Gehry’s last significant design; the renowned architect passed away at the age of 96.
Initially slated for completion in 2025, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi’s official opening date has yet to be announced, as construction is still underway.
When the 2025 completion was publicized, Gehry referred to the project as “truly thrilling”.
“I hope that this building is embraced by the people of the UAE and that this work will endure as a landmark for the country for many years to come,” he said at the time.
Plans for the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi were first announced in 2006, with construction commencing on the island’s northwestern tip in 2011. Work was paused for several years before resuming in 2019.
Recent images showcase the museum’s dramatic and varied forms, which will house galleries of different heights and configurations.
The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will be managed by the Guggenheim Foundation, while ownership will remain with Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Development & Investment Company, which commissioned its development.
In addition to its gallery spaces, the museum will include an art and technology center, a children’s educational facility, archives, a library, and a conservation laboratory.
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