A groundbreaking for the AK360 Campus Development and Expansion Project was held earlier today. This is a significant milestone in the quest to transition the Albright-Knox Gallery into more of a campus setting, while creating a striking new building that will act as a gathering place for visitors, while increasing the amount of gallery space to showcase sensational works of art. The building was designed by the AK’s architectural partner, Shohei Shigematsu (OMA).

In attendance at the groundbreaking was Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, County Executive Mark Poloncarz, Mayor Byron Brown, and Councilmember Joel Feroleto.

The new, expanded museum campus will comprise three architecturally significant buildings connected by a scenic bridge.

In another surprising twist, it was announced that philanthropist Jeffrey Gundlach will be committing an additional $10 million to the project, bringing his overall financial gift to a whopping $62.5 million. Mr. Gundlach designed his initial contributions to leverage a matching structure that more than doubled his original investment. With these commitments in hand, the Albright-Knox Board of Directors announced, earlier this month, that the construction project would get underway.

Moving forward, the AK campus will consist of three respective buildings, interconnected by a scenic bridge. Each of the structures, including the bridge, will be duly named in honor of individuals that have been driving expansion efforts over the years.

The oldest building, E. B. Green’s neoclassical masterpiece , will become the Robert and Elisabeth Wilmers Building. Mr. Wilmers was the longtime Chairman and CEO of M&T Bank, and was the Chair of the AK360 Capital Campaign

, will become the Robert and Elisabeth Wilmers Building. Mr. Wilmers was the longtime Chairman and CEO of M&T Bank, and was the Chair of the AK360 Capital Campaign Gordon Bunshaft’s The 1962 Building will be named in honor of Seymour H. Knox, Jr., and the Knox family. Mr. Knox’s was Board President between 1939–1976 and drove the modern and contemporary art vision for the gallery. The Knox Family continues to be an important faction of the gallery to this day.

In recognition of John J. Albright’s legacy as a founder of the museum, the scenic bridge connecting the new building to the existing buildings will be named the John J. Albright Bridge. It will be a physical link between the museum’s past and future that will provide panoramic views of Hoyt Lake and Frederick Law Olmsted’s Delaware Park.

connecting the new building to the existing buildings will be named the John J. Albright Bridge. It will be a physical link between the museum’s past and future that will provide panoramic views of Hoyt Lake and Frederick Law Olmsted’s Delaware Park. The new building on the north side of the campus will be named in honor of philanthropist Jeffrey Gundlach.