Named after Lothar-Günther Buchheim, whose art collection it holds, it was opened to the public on 23 May 2001.
Buchheim is also the author of the best-selling book Das Boot.
It encompasses around 4,000 square meters and is designed to resemble a ship, with a jetty-like balcony extending out over the Starnberger See.
Buchheim's requested location in Feldafing, on the grounds of the Villa Maffei, was rejected in a vote by residents.
The museum holds Buchheim's collection of expressionist art, with works by Erich Heckel, Emil Nolde, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Max Pechstein, and so forth.