Meet the man who built NYC… by hand 🏙️ We asked artist Joe Macken (@minninycity04) 8 questions about his massive handmade model, from his work table to his favorite buildings and the stories behind them. As Joe says, it’s “just another way of seeing New York that you can’t see just by walking through the streets.” Timed tickets at the link in bio.
1:44
Meet the man who built NYC… by hand 🏙️ We asked artist Joe Macken (@minninycity04) 8 questions about his massive handmade model, from his work table to his favorite buildings and the stories behind them. As Joe says, it’s “just another way of seeing New York that you can’t see just by walking through the streets.” Timed tickets at the link in bio.
59K views8 months ago
TikTokmuseumofcityny
A truck driver went viral for building a giant model of NYC in free time. Now it's a museum exhibit
1:42
A truck driver went viral for building a giant model of NYC in free time. Now it's a museum exhibit
1.3K views3 weeks ago
YouTubeAssociated Press
Truck driver’s giant model of NYC went viral on TikTok and is now an exhibit
1:39
Truck driver’s giant model of NYC went viral on TikTok and is now an exhibit
11.4K views3 weeks ago
YouTube1010 WINS
MUST SEE NYC: He Built this City Exhibition He Built this City — BY HAND. 🏙️✨ For the first time in New York, He Built This City: Joe Macken’s Model is on view at the Museum of the City of New York — and it is absolutely jaw-dropping. Joseph Macken, a truck driver from Queens, has spent 21 years building a scale model of New York City, and it’s one of the most ambitious handmade models of NYC ever made. Crafted from everyday materials like balsa wood, and Elmer’s glue, this massive 50-by-27-foo
0:35
MUST SEE NYC: He Built this City Exhibition He Built this City — BY HAND. 🏙️✨ For the first time in New York, He Built This City: Joe Macken’s Model is on view at the Museum of the City of New York — and it is absolutely jaw-dropping. Joseph Macken, a truck driver from Queens, has spent 21 years building a scale model of New York City, and it’s one of the most ambitious handmade models of NYC ever made. Crafted from everyday materials like balsa wood, and Elmer’s glue, this massive 50-by-27-foo
8.8K views8 months ago
FacebookLittle Kid Big City - New York
Truck driver Joe Macken’s massive model of New York City, built over more than two decades, is now on display at the Museum of the City of New York.
0:58
Truck driver Joe Macken’s massive model of New York City, built over more than two decades, is now on display at the Museum of the City of New York.
7.4K views3 weeks ago
TikTokwashingtonpost
NYC Scale Model: 22 Years of Truck Driver Joe Macken's Masterpiece Debuts
1:17
NYC Scale Model: 22 Years of Truck Driver Joe Macken's Masterpiece Debuts
777K views6 months ago
TikToksecretnyc_
Truck driver’s model of New York City goes on display after 20
0:58
Truck driver’s model of New York City goes on display after 20
3 weeks ago
MSNThe Washington Post - Video
1:41
For more than two decades, truck driver Joe Macken spent his free time building a massive scale model of his native New York City out of balsa wood and foam board. When he finished, his daughter convinced him to show the sprawling basement creation off on TikTok. The video clips went viral almost immediately.
770 views3 weeks ago
TikTokapnews
0:43
He Built This City: Joe Macken’s Handmade Model of New York City 🗽 #nyc #newyorkcity
342 views1 month ago
YouTubeAmbient New York — Matt Pierce
0:34
Joe Macken's Stunning Miniature NYC Model Unveiled
211.7K views8 months ago
TikTokny1
2:59
Joe Macken’s Giant NYC Model at the Museum of the City of New York #nyc #didyouknow #museum #history
145.8K views8 months ago
YouTubeNorberto Briceño
2:58
Explore Joe Macken's 50-Foot NYC Model at the Museum
61.3K views8 months ago
TikToknorbertobriceno
0:13
“He Built This City: Joe Macken’s Model”- A Living Map of New York City The Museum of the City of New York @Museum of the City of New York is exhibiting “He Built This City: Joe Macken’s Model” (opened Feb. 2026), featuring a massive 50-foot-by-27-foot, hand-crafted, 320-section model of all five NYC boroughs. Created by truck driver Joe Macken @macken3991 over 21 years using balsa wood, cardboard, and glue, the viral TikTok model is displayed in the Dinan Miller Gallery. This is a new, differen
11.4K views7 months ago
TikToknyclovesnyc
1:15
21 years. Hundreds of thousands of buildings. One man. Joe Macken built all 5 boroughs
10.7K views6 months ago
YouTubeNewYorkers
0:56
“He Built This City: Joe Macken’s Model” of New York City at the Museum of the City of New York
3.8K views7 months ago
YouTubeNYC loves NYC
0:22
A Truck Driver Spent 21 Years Secretly Building New York, Then…
1.6K views3 months ago
YouTubeTheodora
0:52
He Built This City: Joe Macken's NYC Model Exhibit
389 views7 months ago
TikTokresortexplor
2:39
For more than two decades, truck driver Joe Macken has been building a miniature version of New York City in his basement. Now his “Little Apple” is going to be on display in a big way. @Steve Hartman is On the Road. #newyorkcity #nyc #ontheroad #goodnews #manhattan
562.8K views8 months ago
TikTokcbseveningnews
0:24
“He Built This City: Joe Macken’s Model” at the Museum of the City of New York
12.7K views7 months ago
YouTubeNYC loves NYC
0:28
Time-lapse: Joe Macken's scale model of NYC set up for display
891 views6 months ago
YouTubeTimes Union
0:34
TikTok sensation debuts massive NYC replica #shorts
741 views8 months ago
YouTubeNew York Post
0:35
An artist spent 21 years building a model of NYC
31.7K views8 months ago
YouTubeNY1
0:31
He Spent 21 Years Building New York City in Miniature!
11K viewsSep 23, 2025
YouTubeNicolàs Hzēndöll
1:34
Man Recreates a Whole City in His Home
22.6K views10 months ago
YouTubeWonder World
0:44
He Spent 20 Years Building NYC Miniature Model at BASEMENT… 🤯😨
1.9M views7 months ago
YouTubeThe Ikigai Project
0:17
Now through Sept 🗽 "He built This City" is a wooden model of NYC! 🤯 #NYbucketlist
1.7K views7 months ago
YouTubeNew York Bucket List
0:43
It’s hard to believe! Queens native Joe Macken’s model of #NYC built over 21 years! It’s on display publicly for the first time in the five boroughs @Museum of the City of New York in #EastHarlem #JoeMacken #Models #Queens
2.9K views8 months ago
TikTokrogerclark41
1:41
A truck driver went viral for building a giant model of NYC in free time. Now it's a museum exhibit
3 weeks ago
apnews.comAP News
1:41
A truck driver went viral for building a giant model of NYC in free time. Now it's a museum exhibit
3 weeks ago
MSNWKYC-TV Cleveland
1:14
21 years. Hundreds of thousands of buildings. One man. Joe Macken built all 5 boroughs by hand using materials like balsa wood and cardboard. We spoke with the Queens native to hear the story behind one of the wildest NYC creations ever.
1.9K views6 months ago
TikToknewyorkersofficial
See more
Static thumbnail place holder