Press Release: Portland Museum of Art Will Acquire Adjacent MaineHealth Property to Unify Campus
For Immediate Release: November 21, 2025
Contacts: pmapublicaffairs@berlinrosen.com
John.Porter@mainehealth.org
Portland Museum of Art Will Acquire Adjacent MaineHealth Property to Unify Campus
Strategic investment secures the museum’s long-term future in the Arts District; promises increased public access, new public parking, and expanded gallery space
Rendering of the campus unification, which can be downloaded here
Portland, Maine – November 21, 2025 – 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’s Blueprint Project plans for campus expansion and unification, with the ultimate goal of securing the institution’s long term future in the heart of the city, while investing directly back in Downtown Portland’s economic vibrancy. The site will be acquired in March 2026, with the purchase funded by the PMA’s Board of Trustees.
“Expanding 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’re 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’s creative spirit and the arts for generations to come,” said Mark Bessire, Judy and Leonard Lauder Executive Director at the Portland Museum of Art.
“We 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,” said Andy Mueller, chief executive of MaineHealth. “This 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.”
The forthcoming acquisition represents not only an increase in square footage, but a strategic realignment of the museum’s 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.
The unified PMA campus is projected to deliver immediate and long-term benefits to the city, including:
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.
Driving cultural and economic vitality: PMA’s 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’s future and will support the economic health and cultural vibrancy of the city’s downtown core.
This is the latest development in the PMA’s ongoing $100M Blueprint Project campaign. 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’s goals of improving staff amenities and securing the land necessary for a sustainable future. The museum has now raised $65M towards that $100M goal.
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.
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.
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About the Portland Museum of Art
The Portland Museum of Art, 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—it's all happening at the PMA.
Plan your visit at portlandmuseum.org | Follow @portlandmuseum on Instagram
About MaineHealth
MaineHealth is a not-for-profit, integrated health system whose vision is, “Working together so our communities are the healthiest in America,” and is committed to a mission of providing high-quality affordable care, educating tomorrow’s caregivers and researching better ways to provide care. MaineHealth includes a Level 1 trauma medical center, eight additional licensed hospitals, comprehensive pediatric care services, an extensive behavioral health care network, diagnostic services as well as home health, hospice and senior care services. With more than 2,000 employed providers and approximately 23,000 care team members, MaineHealth provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. MaineHealth hospitals include MaineHealth Behavioral Health at Spring Harbor in Westbrook, MaineHealth Franklin Hospital in Farmington, MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital in Damariscotta, MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland, Biddeford and Sanford, MaineHealth Memorial Hospital in North Conway, N.H., MaineHealth Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick, MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital in Rockport, MaineHealth Stephens Hospital in Norway and MaineHealth Waldo Hospital in Belfast. MaineHealth also includes the MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland, MaineHealth Behavioral Health in Westbrook, MaineHealth Home Health and Hospice in Saco, the MaineHealth Institute for Research in Scarborough, the MaineHealth Medical Group and MaineHealth NorDx in Scarborough. MaineHealth affiliates include Maine General Health in Augusta and Waterville. It is also a significant stakeholder in the MaineHealth Accountable Care Organization in Portland and a joint venture partner in the New England Rehabilitation Hospital in Portland.