First look at The Children's Museum of Manhattan, expected to open in 2028

The Children's Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) has released impressive renderings of its highly anticipated new location at 361 Central Park West on Manhattan's Upper West Side. Designed by the renowned architectural firm FXCollaborative, this $300 million project will convert a historic church into a state-of-the-art cultural institution dedicated to children’s learning and development.

Rendering: Children’s Museum Of Manhattan, FXCollaborative

The new facility will offer significantly more space compared to CMOM's current location on West 83rd Street. With 80,000 square feet spread across seven stories, the museum will be able to accommodate double its current visitor capacity. The expanded space will allow for additional exhibits, programs, and activities aimed at providing enriching experiences for children of various age groups, from infants to ten years old.

In addition to its expanded exhibit space, the museum will continue to serve as a key resource for the local community. CMOM plans to deepen its relationships with nearby organizations, including shelters, Head Start programs, settlement houses, hospitals, and the Department of Correction. These partnerships will ensure that CMOM remains accessible to children from a range of backgrounds, offering valuable educational opportunities.

Renderings: Children’s Museum Of Manhattan, FXCollaborative

The project has garnered strong financial backing, with major contributions from donors such as the City of New York, the Bezos Family Foundation, and Laurie M. Tisch, CMOM’s Founding Board Chair. To date, $200 million has been raised towards the museum’s $300 million fundraising goal.

Rendering: Children’s Museum Of Manhattan, FXCollaborative

New York City Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo emphasized the importance of access to cultural institutions, stating, “Every child deserves access to amazing cultural institutions. This state-of-the-art new home will mark a new chapter for the museum and give them the capacity to engage more young people from across the city with the incredible benefits of the arts.”

CMOM's new location is expected to open in 2028, providing a world-class cultural and educational experience for children and families.

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