The “Smithsonian Castle,” also known as the Smithsonian Institution Building, is closing temporarily next month for its first major renovation in more than 50 years. The renovation involves repairs and upgrades and is expected to take five years.

The Castle will be closing on Wednesday, Feb. 1, the institution announced Thursday. Renovations are expected to begin in March. 

When renovations are complete, visitors can expect a newly restored Great Hall, an expanded cafe, shop, and restrooms in the lower level of the building, and the removal of office space in the Upper Great Hall for more public programming.

“The building is being restored to increase the amount of public space,” Smithsonian spokesperson Ben Marcus says.

The renovations will also include the restoration and replacement of windows; restoration of the roof and exterior stonework; replacement of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems; and replacement of security and information technology systems.

While the Smithsonian Institution Building is renovated, the nearby Enid A. Haupt Garden will still remain open along with the pedestrian routes allowing access to the National Mall, the National Museum of African Art, the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, and the garden.

Originally designed by James Renwick Jr., the castle opened in 1855 with its exterior remaining mostly the same over the years. But over time, the interior space has undergone multiple modifications. The museum’s last major renovation was in 1960. The building houses the Visitor Center and provides a good starting point for exploring the rest of the Smithsonian museums. Visitors could tour 19th-century architecture or also consult experts about what to see and do.

The space also holds the crypt for James Smithson – the British scientist whose estate and funds helped to establish the Smithsonian Institution. Smithson is among the ghosts that are rumored to haunt the building. But his crypt will not be impacted by the renovations. “The room is going to remain preserved,” Marcus says. “They’re going to protect it while renovations are ongoing.”

While the building is being updated, the Smithsonian will expand its online services, including a virtual Visitor Center launching in February. Guests can build an itinerary, interact with live volunteers to plan their visits, and view museum hours, entry guidelines, maps, dining/shopping options, and accessibility information. There will also be an Adventure Lab app, to guide guests through touchless scavenger hunts.

This renovation comes after the Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building reopened in 2021 – it was closed for more than 15 years – and a few months after the Air and Space Museum’s big renovation.

This article has been updated to reflect James Smithson’s role in establishing the Smithsonian Institution.