The Art Institute of Chicago is considering a major expansion that could involve relocating or reshaping the historic Chicago Stock Exchange Trading Room. Located on the museum's east side, the 5,700-square-foot room is a preserved architectural landmark originally designed in the 1890s and saved from demolition in the 1970s. While no final decisions have been made, museum officials identified this area as having the highest potential for increasing gallery capacity to showcase more of the institution's permanent collection.
This project addresses a critical space shortage, as the museum currently displays only about 15 percent of its modern and contemporary art holdings. Backed by a $75 million gift from trustee Aaron Fleischman and Lin Lougheed, the expansion represents a significant institutional shift. However, the potential displacement of the Trading Room highlights the ongoing tension between modernizing museum infrastructure and preserving architectural heritage.