The 9/11 Tribute Museum might be closing its doors

Google Street View of the 9/11 Tribute Museum in October 2017; Map data © Google

The 9/11 Tribute Museum—perhaps “overshadowed” by the better-known Memorial Museum just a few blocks away—might be closing its 92 Greenwich Street location, as Crain’s reports. Real estate investment firm Thor Equities has placed the museum’s three-story space on the market for $30 million. It’s not yet clear whether the museum will close down completely or be able to relocate.

Long before the 9/11 Memorial Museum opened in 2011, the Tribute Museum first began operating in a former deli back in 2006 and moved into its current, 36,000-square-foot space in 2017. It occupies the basement, ground floor, and the second floor of the building. Thor Equities converted the upper floors of the building to condos nearly a decade ago, according to Crain’s.

Originally called the Tribute Center, the museum was co-founded by Lee Ielpi, who lost his firefighter son John in the attacks. As 6sqft previously reported, Ielpi noted that the Tribute Museum and Memorial Museum intend to “complement each other,” with the Tribute Museum focused on personalizing the experience through tours led by those close to the tragedy. “It is crucial that we pass on the understanding of 9/11 to future generations and the tremendous spirit of resilience and service that arose after the attacks.”

“The main story we’re telling is not that of the attacks—that’s the purpose of the Memorial Museum down the street—but rather how in this nightmare people stepped up to help other people, both in the direct aftermath and gradually over time within their communities,” Lee Skolnick, principal of LHSA+DP and lead architect of the 9/11 Tribute Museum, explained to 6sqft in an interview when the Tribute Museum’s Greenwich Street location first opened.

As Crain’s reported, the organization’s most recent public financial filings show that it lost nearly $90,000 in 2016 and $1.1 million in 2015. The museum is operated by the non-profit group the September 11th Widows and Victims Families’ Association, with Jennifer Adams-Webb serving as CEO.

“A landlord has the right to manage or dispose of an asset as they see fit,” the museum said in a statement. “The 9/11 Tribute Museum continues to welcome visitors to tour our historical exhibitions, which share the first-person perspectives of those who experienced 9/11. We continue to proactively seek supporters and donors for our ongoing mission.”

Michael Rudder, a broker representing Thor Equities in the sale, said he expects a deal will take place over the next few months, adding that the space might appeal to a non-profit or school “because it has its own dedicated entrance and elevator.”

[Via Crain’s]

RELATED:

• INTERVIEW: Architect Lee H. Skolnick on designing New York City’s 9/11 Tribute Museum
• 9/11 Tribute Museum reopens in new 36,000-square-foot space to tell victims’ personal stories
• Dawn of a new Downtown: The transformation of Lower Manhattan since 9/11