This complex renovation transformed an old Masonic Temple into the Portland Art Museum’s new Center for Modern and Contemporary Art. All the systems were completely upgraded and the historic ballrooms were fully restored and renovated. The building (28,000 SF renovation portion, 81,000 SF total) houses an administrative and curatorial center with gallery space, upgraded facilities for the Museum’s library, staff offices, and rental sales gallery. To address the special challenges of renovating the fragile 1925 building, Hoffman implemented highly unusual construction sequencing. The existing walls were kept in place, while an entirely new structure was constructed. Demolition, steel installation, and hand excavation under the old walls all happened simultaneously.