Renzo Piano to lead major expansion of Monaco’s Villa Sauber
Monaco’s Nouveau Musée National is preparing a major expansion of Villa Sauber, with architect Renzo Piano designing a new cultural complex set to open by 2029.
The Nouveau Musée National de Monaco has unveiled plans for a major redevelopment of Villa Sauber, with renowned architect Renzo Piano commissioned to transform the site into a 4,000-square-metre cultural complex.
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Construction is scheduled to begin in September 2026 and continue until 2029.
The project will expand the museum’s exhibition capacity from 600 m² to more than six times its current size, creating new permanent galleries, large temporary exhibition spaces, a library, educational workshops, an auditorium and a café.
A redesigned landscaped garden will form a central part of the development, linking the historic villa with the modern extension.
Plans include citrus trees, rose gardens and shaded green areas intended to remain publicly accessible for most of the construction period.
The redevelopment also aims to strengthen Monaco’s cultural infrastructure by creating a permanent home for the Principality’s national art collections.
From 2028, museum reserves will be housed beneath the Mareterra development.
During the works, the museum will continue operating from its Villa Paloma site.