“Inspiring the Future, One Imagination at a Time”

Griffith Observatory has begun a long-planned and much-needed revitalization. After more than 66 years of continuous use, visits by nearly 70 million people, and no significant capital improvements, the Observatory is undergoing a major renovation and expansion. Every system and element of the Observatory is being restored to its original grandeur and improved for the current level of public use (nearly two million visitors a year), including a state-of-the-art planetarium theater.

The Observatory is also being expanded to better meet the needs of its many visitors. By excavating under a portion of the front lawn and western terrace, we will double the size of the Observatory without changing the classic appearance of the building. Plans call for a new presentation theater, two large new exhibit areas, a new on-site food service, an expanded bookstore, new elevators (to improve access to the entire building), and more restrooms. The Observatory’s exhibit program is also being restored, reconfigured and expanded.

The Observatory closed to the public on January 6, 2002 to pack up and move everything out of the building. Construction got under way on October 30, 2002 with the official groundbreaking and should be complete in mid-2005. After equipment and exhibits are installed, the Observatory will reopen in late 2005, in its 70th anniversary year.

Click on thumbnails to view renovation photos larger.

Griffith Observatory Renovation Hotline
(323) 664-0155