The Andy Warhol Museum Ditches Its Plans to Come to New York City

The Andy Warhol museum is no longer coming to the big city. Museum director Eric Shiner announced plans to expand to Manhattan's Lower East Side last May, however, he decided last week to no longer move forward with the project. 

"The Andy Warhol Museum, which had been exploring its participation in the Essex Crossing development in lower Manhattan, has determined that it will not proceed with the project," Shiner said in a statement. "Despite the efforts of both the museum and the developers, an internal study of business and other operational considerations led the museum to this decision." 

The New York branch seemed like a logical decision when it was first announced, especially given Warhol's rise to fame in the same trendy neighborhood where the museum was planned. Shiner also noted the advantages of a Manhattan location when it was announced, telling the Pittsburgh Post Gazette that setting up in NYC "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." 

New Yorkers need not worry, though, as Shiner said the museum will still have a presence in the city. "The Warhol will continue to participate in programs, exhibitions, and special projects in New York City through its longstanding collaborations with a variety of New York-based arts organizations," he said.

Until then, you can always buy the latest collaborations the Warhol foundation has done with Converse on sneakers and WeSC on boxers to get your fix of the revolutionary artist.

[via ArtNet]