Over the weekend, some new details dripped out concerning one of the more prominent attractions coming to the big Essex Crossing project. The 1.9 million square foot mixed use development near the Williamsburg Bridge is scheduled to break ground next spring.
At its gala Saturday night, Andy Warhol Museum Director Eric Shiner told guests that the Pittsburgh-based museum was moving forward with plans for a 10,000 square foot annex as part of Essex Crossing. While the museum was included in the grand plan for the former urban renewal site announced last September, Andy Warhol execs have been largely silent about their potential involvement.
But in the past week Shiner told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “the partnership has been formed and we’re moving forward with our plans to open the branch in New York,” while adding, “there’s still much work to be done to finalize the project and plans and designs.”
More from te Post-Gazette story:
Having a New York presence “is like having a chance to exhibit more of the collection to a wider, more international audience and to encourage more people to come to Pittsburgh to see everything we have as well,” Mr. Shiner said. “New York is the amuse bouche and Pittsburgh is the main course.” … Mr. Shiner said negotiations for this project began in 2012. David M. Hillenbrand, the president and CEO of Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, approved the initiative, as did Joel Wachs, president of The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. Delancey Street Associates (the Essex Crossing developers) will pay for the cost of building the museum branch, which has a target opening date of 2017. For the first five years of the museum’s existence, the developers will pay for any operating deficits.
The museum will be located on site #1 of the Seward Park development area, bordered by Ludlow, Broome and Essex streets. The developers are expected to unveil their final renderings in September (the drawing you see above was simply a mock-up prepared for their successful bid). The Warhol Museum is celebrating its 20th year in existence. The Pittsburgh location is about 88,000 square feet.
whatever – i’d still be more excited about a Trader Joe’s.
If the developers can pay for this, couldn’t they pay to have a bus depot there? It would be the best thing they could do for the neighborhood and get all those busses off our streets.
From what I’ve read, the Pittsburgh museum has been fully re-imagined. Can’t wait to see version 2.0 in Pittsburgh and the new space in NYC in the neighborhood.
I think its extremely disappointing that they would choose to build this museum. Where was the neighborhood input for this museum? There was no regard for what the residents of the Lower East Side want or need. We have many galleries already. What we lack are enough resources for our youth. This space could have been re-imagined as a multi-faceted activity/sports center. A smaller version of Chelsea piers or basketball city. We do not need or want the Andy Warhol museum as a way to drum up business for the Pittsburgh center. These developers need to reconsider and actually think about the residents’ wants and needs. Families with children and teens would love to stay in the neighborhood rather than trek to Chelsea piers with their kids.
A great addition to the neighborhood and puts it on the international map even more. Very exciting!
whatever – i’d still be more excited about a Trader Joe’s.
If the developers can pay for this, couldn’t they pay to have a bus depot there? It would be the best thing they could do for the neighborhood and get all those busses off our streets.
From what I’ve read, the Pittsburgh museum has been fully re-imagined. Can’t wait to see version 2.0 in Pittsburgh and the new space in NYC in the neighborhood.
I think its extremely disappointing that they would choose to build this museum. Where was the neighborhood input for this museum? There was no regard for what the residents of the Lower East Side want or need. We have many galleries already. What we lack are enough resources for our youth. This space could have been re-imagined as a multi-faceted activity/sports center. A smaller version of Chelsea piers or basketball city. We do not need or want the Andy Warhol museum as a way to drum up business for the Pittsburgh center. These developers need to reconsider and actually think about the residents’ wants and needs. Families with children and teens would love to stay in the neighborhood rather than trek to Chelsea piers with their kids.
A great addition to the neighborhood and puts it on the international map even more. Very exciting!