Mini New York City Comes to Museum of the City of New York

Miniature model built by hobbyist Joe Macken goes on display after gaining viral TikTok fame

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Museum of the City of New York will display a miniature New York City built by hobbyist Joe Macken over 21 years. The model, made of balsa wood and Elmer's glue, features detailed replicas of iconic New York landmarks and buildings, including the Empire State Building, One World Trade Center, and the former Twin Towers. Macken's creation, which consists of 342 separate pieces, will be the centerpiece of a new exhibit at the museum starting this Thursday.

Why it matters

The miniature model provides a unique perspective on New York City, allowing visitors to see the scale and scope of the metropolis in a way that is not typically possible. The exhibit also highlights the work of an amateur artist who has gained recognition through social media, showcasing the power of platforms like TikTok to elevate lesser-known creative talents.

The details

Joe Macken, a resident near Albany, New York, built the miniature New York City in his basement over the course of 21 years. The model is made entirely of balsa wood and Elmer's glue, with no concrete, glass, or steel used. It features detailed replicas of iconic New York landmarks and buildings, including the Empire State Building, One World Trade Center, and the former Twin Towers. The model is so large that it almost didn't fit in the museum's largest gallery, requiring Macken to trim a couple of feet from the edges.

  • Macken began constructing the miniature city in his basement near Albany, New York over 21 years ago.
  • Macken's model gained viral fame on TikTok last summer, racking up millions of views for his videos.
  • The miniature New York City will go on display at the Museum of the City of New York starting this Thursday, February 10, 2026.

The players

Joe Macken

A hobbyist who spent 21 years constructing a highly detailed miniature model of New York City in his basement near Albany, New York.

Stephanie Hill Wilchfort

The president and director of the Museum of the City of New York, which is hosting the exhibit featuring Macken's miniature model.

Elisabeth Sherman

The deputy director and chief curator of the Museum of the City of New York, who expressed excitement about the arrival of Macken's model.

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What they’re saying

“When there's scale like this, when there's attention to detail like this, the physical experience of seeing it for the first time is extraordinary.”

— Elisabeth Sherman, Deputy Director and Chief Curator, Museum of the City of New York (nytimes.com)

“The power of the model is that you see that the part of the city that you know is so small compared to the vastness of the rest of it.”

— Stephanie Hill Wilchfort, President and Director, Museum of the City of New York (nytimes.com)

What’s next

The miniature New York City model will be the centerpiece of a new exhibit at the Museum of the City of New York, which is set to open to the public this Thursday, February 10, 2026.

The takeaway

Joe Macken's intricate and highly detailed miniature model of New York City showcases the power of passion projects and the ability of amateur artists to gain recognition through platforms like social media. The exhibit at the Museum of the City of New York provides a unique perspective on the scale and scope of the iconic metropolis.