Australasian Leisure Management
My Account
Jul 7, 2015

Louvre Abu Dhabi set for late 2016 opening

Tourism / Design / Culture / Attractions

Abu Dhabi has confirmed that it is to delay the opening of its branch of the Louvre Museum until late 2016.

While construction work on the Louvre Abu Dhabi is progressing, the Emirate’s Tourism and Development Investment Company (TDIC), the Abu Dhabi Government-owned developer of the city’s Saadiyat Island cultural district, has admitted it will not meet its end of year deadline to open the vast cultural attraction.

With the museum’s structure set to be completed before the end of 2015, the building is not expected to be delivered until spring 2016, after which the installation of the collection will take place, a process that is expected to take several months.

Designed by Pritzker-prize winning architect Jean Nouvel, Louvre Abu Dhabi will encompass 9,200 metre² of gallery space.

Its 6,681 metre² Permanent Gallery will house the museum's permanent collection while the Temporary Gallery will be a dedicated space of 2,364 metre² presenting temporary exhibitions of international standards.

When completed the Louvre satellite will be one of the marquee cultural institutions located in the heart of the Saadiyat cultural district. The others attractions are Sir Norman Foster’s Zayed National Museum and Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.

The rescheduled opening to the Louvre Abu Dhabi may also impact the opening of the other institutions, with the delay being the third since Abu Dhabi burst on to the global cultural scene in 2007 when it unveiled a bilateral deal with the French Government to open the world’s first overseas branch of the historic Paris museum.

The museums of the Saadiyat cultural district mark the centrepiece of Abu Dhabi’s attempt to boost its cultural standing, supplementing the acclaimed biennale in Sharjah and Dubai art fair, as well as being a tourism drawcard.

Image: Construction on the Louvre Abu Dhabi includes a complicated latice-style roof structure.

19th October 2014 - LOUVRE ABU DHABI TO DISPLAY DA VINCI, VAN GOGH MASTERPIECES

11th June 2013 - MUSEUMS DRIVE ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL TRANSFORMATION

18th January 2013 - ABU DHABI LOUVRE TO OPEN IN 2015

Related Articles

Speedo launches first national advertising campaign in a decade
Dec 14, 2021
Court of Appeal confirms Christchurch Adventure Park negligent in 2017 Port Hills fires case
Apr 2, 2023
Landmark aquatic event to explore inland waterway safety and ageing infrastructure
Jul 30, 2025
KFit expansion to be backed by US$12 million funding
Feb 20, 2016
BIG4 Holiday Parks celebrates excellence with ‘Best of the Best’ Awards
Oct 27, 2016
Lions give Sydney its biggest week since the Olympics
Jul 12, 2013
Bankstown teenager the one to beat at Par 3 Championship
Mar 27, 2016
Victoria launches Water Safety Week to combat increase in drowning numbers
Dec 3, 2013
Melbourne Zoo rejects palm oil executive's claim of orangutan distress
Aug 3, 2011
Australia’s major sports back Indigenous voice to Parliament
May 20, 2023
Australasian Leisure Management Magazine
Subscribe to the Magazine Today

Published since 1997 - Australasian Leisure Management Magazine is your go-to resource for sports, recreation, and tourism. Enjoy exclusive insights, expert analysis, and the latest trends.

Mailed to you six times a year, for an annual subscription from just $99.

New Issue
Australasian Leisure Management
Online Newsletter

Get business and operations news for $12 a month - plus headlines emailed twice a week. Covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism, and venues.