Centre Pompidou’s museum project in New Jersey suffers setback – Technologist

The Centre Pompidou’s expansion policy has just suffered a severe blow. Beaubourg confirmed to AFP on July 2 that the Parisian institution’s branch, set to open in Jersey City, in the United States, in 2027, had been “suspended until further notice,” based on information published a few days earlier in the New Jersey Monitor. This is a significant setback for the cultural institution, which was counting on the revenue generated by the project to help finance the cultural aspect of its restoration work, starting in 2025. According to Le Monde, it was set to receive royalties of €1.44 million from Jersey City in 2024.

The story goes back to 2021. Just before leaving office, Serge Lasvignes, then-president of the Centre Pompidou, announced a major partnership with Jersey City. This working-class suburb, long snubbed by New Yorkers, aimed to polish its image and offer an alternative to MoMA PS1 and Dia Beacon, two flagship contemporary art venues on the outskirts of New York.

Based on its partnerships with Malaga and Shanghai, the Centre Pompidou provided its expertise, brand and collections, in return for financial compensation. Jersey City was responsible for the renovation of a historic building, covering 5,000 square meters, by the OMA architecture firm, along with running the site. The city hoped to secure funding from prominent American philanthropists and the state of New Jersey which was supportive of the project at that time.

However, alarming signs appeared in the summer of 2023. Republican Senator Michael Testa publicly protested against what he deemed a ruinous partnership. Construction cost inflation had caused the budget to skyrocket beyond $120 million (€111.36 million) – today, the figure is $200 million. By June 2023, however, the Centre Pompidou still had hope. The city had suggested extending the contract to a 15-year partnership from the date of opening rather than the five years originally planned. According to internal documents seen by Le Monde, Beaubourg’s management was even hoping to increase the amount of royalties, arguing that a brand gains in value over time.

Remaining hopeful

Its prospects have been dampened by New Jersey, which, in a June 29 letter to the Centre Pompidou’s current president, Laurent le Bon, cited “the ongoing impact of Covid and multiple global conflicts on the supply chain, rising costs, an irreconcilable operating gap and the corresponding financial burdens it will create for New Jersey’s taxpayers.”

The authorities, who have withdrawn their $18 million funding, are now demanding that the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency repay $6 million already allocated before August 1.

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