Just off of Brand Boulevard in Glendale, construction progresses for the Armenian American Museum.

Earlier this week, the museum's backers announced that the completion of the concrete pour for the 51,000-square-foot building's roof deck. Framing for the two-story structure is expected to continue through February, after which point the form of the museum will start to take shape.

Rendering of the Armenian American MuseumArmenian American Museum

“We are excited to share this latest milestone with our community,” said the museum's executive chairman Berdj Karapetian in a news release. “With each phase of construction, we are one step closer to opening the doors of the Armenian American Museum and fulfilling our mission of education, engagement, and cultural enrichment.”

Alajajian Marcoosi Architects is designing the museum, which is shown in renderings with a jagged exterior modeled on rock formations seen in the Armenian Highlands. The museum's interior will include permanent and temporary exhibition galleries on its upper level, while a lobby, an auditorium, offices, and other functions will make up the ground floor.

Gallagher & Associates is leading the design team for the museum's permanent exhibition, which will focus on the Armenian Genocide. Other exhibits will focus on the experience of Armenian Americans.

Construction of the Armenian American MuseumArmenian American Museum

The project is located on the southern edge of Glendale Central Park as a result of a $1-per-year ground lease agreement between the museum and the City of Glendale. The lease runs for an initial term of 55 years, with four optional 10-year extensions that could push that total to 95 years.

With the museum taking up a lot of real estate previously devoted to public open space, the City of Glendale has also proposed a revamp of Glendale Central Park which would convert parking lot into replacement green space.

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