Why will the Rothko Chapel be closed for much of 2019?

By Molly Glentzer Updated 4:40 pm CST, Monday, December 10, 2018

Demolition has started of one of the bungalows across the street from the Rothko Chapel. As much of the building as possible will be recycled, including the floor, as the bungalow is demolished to make way for a new Rothko Chapel visitors center on the site. The project is part of a master plan that also includes a major renovation of the chapel beginning in March. Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer / © 2018 Mark Mulligan / Houston Chronicle

Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer Image 1 of 14

Demolition has started of one of the bungalows across the street from the Rothko Chapel. As much of the building as possible will be recycled, including the floor, as the bungalow is demolished to make way for ... more

Neighbors in the Menil enclave were surprised and dismayed Monday to see one of the Houston neighborhood’s famous gray bungalows being dismantled by a reclamation crew.

That building and several around it are owned by the Rothko Chapel, whose board has launched a multi-phase, $30 million campaign to better define its two-acre campus and improve visitor experiences to the legendary sacred space, one of the world’s most important public art sites. Recommended Video

Construction begins early next year on the first of three new buildings on Sul Ross; and the chapel will be closed for major renovations during much of next year, beginning March 4.

Read more about which homes will be removed, what will take their place and how these renovations could affect how you see the Chapel’s famous art at houstonchronicle.com.