New York City, with its sprawling boroughs and towering skyscrapers, has been meticulously miniaturized by the hands of Joe Macken, an upstate trucker whose scale model of the city recently went viral on TikTok. According to a report by Gothamist, Macken's painstakingly detailed recreation, built within the confines of his Clifton Park basement since 2004, will be exhibited at the Museum of the City of New York, opening to the public on Feb. 12, 2026.
Using simple materials like balsa wood, Elmer's glue, and Styrofoam, the 63-year-old managed to build miniature versions of every building across the five boroughs on 342 panels—no small feat for someone lacking formal training in carpentry or engineering. In a statement obtained by Gothamist, the museum's Chief Curator and Deputy Director Elisabeth Sherman voiced her enthusiasm for Macken's model, valuing it as a singular artistic vision and celebration of the city. Driving the model downstate in a 25-foot U-Haul, Macken had to strategize the panel arrangement to transport his urban masterpiece safely, a feat accomplished with the Throggs Neck Bridge suffering as the lone casualty in a previous move.
Macken's project has been a labor of love that blossomed from a passion he discovered over twenty years ago. Speaking to CBS News New York, Macken, a Queens-native, started at iconic landmarks like the Rockefeller Center and meticulously scaled the Empire State Building to 7-3/4 inches tall, reflecting its real-world stature of 1,250 feet. His Middle Village neighborhood was recreated from memory, a testament to the intimate familiarity he has with the city.
It wasn't until his daughter Erika suggested posting a video on TikTok that Macken's work reached a wider audience, amassing 10 million views and about 300,000 followers who frequently commend his dedication. "Sometimes I can't believe it, that I actually built this," Macken told CBS News New York. His fanbase expanded beyond digital borders when he displayed the complete model at a local fair, where it received the same level of admiration as witnessed online. While most of the panels are now back in storage, museums have shown interest in his work, with the upcoming exhibition at the Museum of the City of New York representing a significant public debut.
The interest generated by his viral TikTok videos and the subsequent announcement of the museum exhibit mark a pivotal moment for Macken, as he awaits the showcase of two decades of commitment to his fine-scale craftmanship. According to the Museum of the City of New York, this is "absolutely the kind of celebration of the city" they aim to highlight, as per Gothamist.
