A truck driver built a model of NYC with over 800,000 structures for fun. Now it’s a museum exhibit

For over two decades, truck driver Joe Macken constructed a massive scale model of his hometown, New York City, using balsa wood and foam board. His daughter encouraged him to share the extensive creation, which features more than 800,000 structures, on TikTok. The model quickly gained viral popularity, with more than 10 million views in a single week.

The Museum of the City of New York, impressed by Macken's TikTok videos, acquired his exhibit, "He Built This City," which opened in February and runs until October. The model, spanning 50 feet in length and nearly 30 feet in width, showcases the five boroughs of New York City in street-level detail, with each inch representing approximately 160 feet in reality.

Macken's inspiration for the model stemmed from a childhood trip to the Queens Museum and his desire to recreate his beloved city. Building the model took him 10 years, with particular attention to iconic landmarks such as the Empire State Building and the World Trade Center towers. Macken, who has no formal background in model building or architectural design, still marvels at the progress he has made.

The model includes some nostalgic elements from his childhood, like his favorite diner in Queens and the demolished Kosciuszko Bridge. Visitors to the museum are drawn to Macken's model, which provides a unique, bird's-eye view of the city. Macken hopes the exhibit will continue beyond its current run, as he plans to expand the model further.