Swiss Institute Buys Bowery Space, Plans Move Near New Museum

The Swiss Institute (SI) has purchased a ground-floor and basement space at 250 Bowery in Manhattan, relocating from its rented East Village home of six years. The new venue, across from the New Museum, will increase SI's square footage from 7,000 to 11,000 and marks the first time the 40-year-old nonprofit will own its space. Renovation is led by Johnston Marklee, architects of the Menil Drawing Institute and the Whitney Independent Study Program. SI director Stefanie Hessler framed the purchase as a sustainability move for experimental nonprofits, though she declined to disclose terms. The Bowery location previously housed the International Center of Photography (2016–2019). SI plans to open next spring, with final East Village shows closing Sunday. During construction, SI will host an off-site exhibition in New York with Polish artist Rafał Skoczek. Hessler noted the area's arts hub includes the New Museum, Giorno Poetry Systems, and historic artist studios of Eva Hesse, Mark Rothko, and Harmony Hammond.