The Museum of Modern Art’s Design Store in Soho reopened this weekend with a striking architectural transformation that offers a fresh way for visitors to encounter art and design in downtown Manhattan.
Located at 81 Spring Street, the landmarked 19th-century building was carefully restored and reworked by Peterson Rich Office, a Brooklyn-based architecture and design practice known for cultural projects that bridge history and modernity. The renovation highlights the cast-iron building’s original character — its columns, masonry walls and restored Spring Street entrance — while introducing contemporary details, including perforated steel displays in a signature blue finish, custom vitrines, and an open, fluid layout designed for discovery. Expansive windows reconnect the store to the street, turning the interior into a visible extension of Soho’s energy.
“The rhythm between past and present was essential,” said Nathan Rich, founding partner of Peterson Rich Office. “We sought to honor the history of this building while layering in modern design that sparks curiosity and connection.”
Anchoring the newly designed space is the debut of LOVE NYC, an original mural by artist Nina Chanel Abney. The vibrant, site-specific installation—visible from Spring Street—marks the launch of Modern Mural, a program bringing rotating works of contemporary art into the Design Store. Abney’s cut-out composition blends the textures of Soho with icons from MoMA’s collection, including Dalí’s melting clock and Duchamp’s bicycle wheel, reinterpreted through her bold visual language.
“This work embodies the dialogue between museum and city,” said Samantha Friedman, curator in MoMA’s Department of Drawings and Prints. “Abney merges the energy of New York with the humor and sophistication of modern art.”
Inside, the Design Store continues MoMA’s legacy of elevating everyday objects through design. Storytelling is embedded throughout the layout: displays highlight both historical objects from the museum’s collection and contemporary collaborations developed exclusively for Soho. Launches include a limited Artek + Marimekko furniture series, Parisian skincare brand Horace’s U.S. debut, and exclusive editions from eyewear brand IZIPIZI and New York label Only NY.
For Jesse Goldstine, MoMA’s chief retail officer, the store is meant to function as more than a point of sale. “We wanted to create a space where visitors don’t just shop, but engage with the stories and creative thinking behind the objects,” he said.
With its layered architectural dialogue, curator-approved collections, and integration of contemporary art, the reopened MoMA Design Store in Soho underscores the institution’s mission: to make good design accessible, experiential and firmly connected to the rhythm of the city.
