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Portland, Maine \u2013 November 21, 2025 \u2013<\/strong> The Portland Museum of Art (PMA) today announced that it will acquire the MaineHealth properties at 110, 120, 128, and 130 Free Street directly adjacent to its current location. The purchase, brokered by Malone Commercial Brokers, builds on the museum\u2019s Blueprint Project plans for campus expansion and unification, with the ultimate goal of securing the institution\u2019s long term future in the heart of the city, while investing directly back in Downtown Portland\u2019s economic vibrancy. The site will be acquired in March 2026, with the purchase funded by the PMA\u2019s Board of Trustees.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cExpanding the PMA campus is a truly transformative opportunity, bringing together the Arts District, Free Street, and the Old Port in a way that feels seamless and inviting. These properties are the foundation for a future where art and community thrive together. Because they\u2019re so close to our current footprint, they offer a rare opportunity for the future of the museum to grow in ways that directly connect Portland\u2019s creative spirit and the arts for generations to come,\u201d said Mark Bessire, Judy and Leonard Lauder Executive Director at the Portland Museum of Art.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe have seen a real shift in how people work in the post-pandemic era, and we need to organize our administrative teams around that new reality,\u201d said Andy Mueller, chief executive of MaineHealth. \u201cThis is part of a broader responsibility we have to use our resources wisely so that we can deliver high quality care to our communities in the most cost-effective way possible, which is critical to achieving our MaineHealth vision of working together so our communities are the healthiest in America.\u201d<\/p>\n The forthcoming acquisition represents not only an increase in square footage, but a strategic realignment of the museum\u2019s footprint. The PMA will be able to return prime square footage in its buildings to its original purpose: public gallery space while supporting administrative and collection growth.<\/p>\n The unified PMA campus is projected to deliver immediate and long-term benefits to the city, including:<\/p>\n Increased accessibility and public parking: The purchase of the MaineHealth building will eventually open up the adjacent parking lot, which was previously restricted to the public. The development will also help further connect the Free Street corridor with the Old Port, encouraging more pedestrian flow and engagement.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Driving cultural and economic vitality: PMA\u2019s campus unification will help create a more vibrant, connected streetscape. Alongside other major projects including the Roux Institute and the Arts District revitalization, the acquisition is a long-term investment in Portland\u2019s future and will support the economic health and cultural vibrancy of the city\u2019s downtown core.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n This is the latest development in the PMA\u2019s ongoing $100M Blueprint Project campaign<\/a>. While the campaign has focused on the construction of a new 60,000-square-foot wing, the purchase of the MaineHealth property accelerates the museum\u2019s goals of improving staff amenities and securing the land necessary for a sustainable future. The museum has now raised $65M towards that $100M goal.\u00a0<\/p>\n The transition builds on a long-standing relationship between the PMA and MaineHealth. MaineHealth will continue to occupy and operate the building for at least two years while transitioning its offices, ensuring a seamless handover. MaineHealth decided earlier this year to place its corporate offices at 110 Free St. on the market, along with the neighboring parking lot, as part of an effort to make more effective use of its administrative offices across the region. The lease-back feature of the purchase-and-sale agreement will allow time for a full assessment of available options and careful planning.\u00a0<\/p>\n The PMA is still evaluating additional specific uses for the property, and next steps include engaging with members, neighbors, and community stakeholders to refine the vision for the new space.<\/p>\n ###<\/p>\n About the Portland Museum of Art<\/strong><\/p>\n The Portland Museum of Art<\/a>, located blocks from the working waterfront in Maine’s largest city, seeks to tell multifaceted stories through art. Showcasing significant holdings of American, European, and contemporary art, as well as iconic works from Maine, the extensive collection highlights the rich artistic tradition of the state and its artists. Free school tours, family activities, curator talks, and tours of the Winslow Homer Studio\u2014it’s all happening at the PMA.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Plan your visit at portlandmuseum.org<\/a>\u00a0 | Follow @portlandmuseum on Instagram<\/p>\n\n