A Trucker's Scale Model of NYC, 20 Years in the Making

[REBROADCAST FROM February 10, 2026] For over 20 years, truck driver Joe Macken worked to make a model of New York City, building by building, block by block. He finished in 2025, and after his kids encouraged him to post about the project online, Macken quickly went viral, garnering millions of views. The result of that publicity is a new exhibit open at the Museum of the City of New York, 'He Built This City: Joe Macken’s Model,' which displays Macken's creation in full for the first time in New York City. Macken discusses his inspiration for the project alongside curator Elisabeth Sherman. 

Photo by David Lurvey/MCNY: Joe Macken, New York City Model (detail), 2004–2025.