A prominent culinary spot on South Street in New York has permanently closed its doors on Monday. The Tin Building by Jean-Georges served for three years and will now be transformed. Seaport Entertainment Group has announced the introduction of the U.S. flagship of the Balloon Museum in the building.
Tin Building by Jean-Georges Has Closed
As per the Tin Building’s Instagram announcement, the building abruptly closed its doors on February 23, 2026. Gratitude was expressed for the support of guests, team members, and partners. It is anticipated that the food hall struggled in the saturated market and could not get enough customers.
Tin Building by Jean-Georges was a revolutionary food market and food hall at 96 South Street. The concept was brought by chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. It offered a multi-sensory experience that commemorates the global food culture and the rich port-side tradition of New York.
The 54,000-square-foot area was a blend of restaurants, bars, and fast-service counters. An exquisitely-stocked central market consisted of locally-found seafood, meats, produce, chef-grade pantry staple and specialty ingredients.
Along with dine-in selections, the Tin Building had curated retail sections. They included gourmet groceries and seasonal selections. Inspired by the historic Fulton Fish Market, the marketplace aimed to bring together New Yorkers and visitors for a celebration of food and community.
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Seaport Entertainment Group is Bringing Balloon Museum to the Tin Building
Seaport Entertainment Group and Lux Entertainment declared that the internationally known Balloon Museum will establish its flagship location in the Tin Building in Summer 2026. As part of preparing the transformation, all existing food and beverage operations in the property are now effectively shut down.
This marks a significant rebranding of the historic Seaport building. Known for its marketplace to now becoming an experiential art hub, joining the list of places to explore.
Balloon Museum features large-scale and interactive contemporary art installations. Rather than passively viewing art, visitors can walk through and interact with large-scale installations built around balloons and air.
The curatorial team is collaborating with internationally acclaimed artists whose work has appeared in MoMA, Tate, and Centre Pompidou. The attraction will expand the cultural services of the Seaport and ensure that the waterfront area continues to have foot traffic as stipulated by SEG leadership.
Lux Entertainment CEO and Founder, Roberto Fantauzzi, referred to the New York flagship as a milestone of the brand, with the location in the Tin Building. More information regarding the New York concept of the museum and possible moves of pre-existing vendors of the Tin Building is likely to be announced in the near future.
The Tin Building closed after a short journey, affecting those who relied on this neighborhood’s local. With the space going into the Balloon Museum, the historic building of South Street Seaport is set to start a new step, with immersive art replacing culinary retail.
