The Gutenberg Museum is a municipal museum of national and international significance with an influence that extends far beyond the borders of Mainz. With around 160,000 visitors annually, it is one of the most visited museums in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate and in Germany.

After many years of existence, the Gutenberg Museum is in urgent need of renovation, both structurally and in terms of content, in order to meet the requirements of a modern and contemporary museum. Some of the exhibits were still at the same level as in 1962. At the same time, a fire safety report revealed significant deficiencies in the museum building. In a broad-based participation process, which also involved the public, possible locations and options were developed, examined, and weighed up. As a result, a new building is now to be planned at the existing and historic location. This means that the museum will continue to be located in the center of Mainz city center in the future. 

Regular public information events will be held to present the transformation process of the Gutenberg Museum into a "museum of the future" to the interested public and all relevant interest groups in a transparent and citizen-friendly manner.

Questions can be submitted at any time via the email address umbau.gmstadt.mainzde.

Mainz Old Town

Before the actual new building can be constructed, the construction site must be cleared by demolishing the existing building. This demolition work began in spring 2025.

According to the current planning status, completion of the shell is expected in 2030. The opening is planned for 2032. The schedule is dependent on archaeology and possible finds.

The rough cost estimate at the current stage anticipates pure construction costs of €89.9 million gross. These costs were determined on the basis of area coefficients and do not include user-specific costs such as those for scenography and furnishings. A detailed and more specific cost calculation can only be prepared after the design planning has been completed.

Planning for the "New Gutenberg Mainz" project has been progressing steadily since the architectural competition was held and concluded and the subsequent tendering process took place. The demolition of the
temporary building is currently underway. At the same time, plans are being made for a new design concept.