Developer behind ‘Ground Zero mosque’ plans for Islamic museum

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Published January 08, 2015

The controversial developer behind the "Ground Zero mosque" has a new plan for the Park Place site: a museum devoted to Islam.

Developer Sharif El-Gamal announced his plan Tuesday to build a three-story museum “dedicated to exploring the faith of Islam and its arts and culture” at 41-51 Park Place, a few blocks from the World Trade Center site, the New York Times reported.

The museum will also include a sanctuary for prayer and community programs, El-Gamal spokesman Hank Sheinkopf told the New York Times.

"New York's arts and cultural institutions have always been a great inspiration to me and I consider this opportunity to create a museum to be a true privilege," El-Gamal said in a statement.

While El-Gamal's original plans for a 15-story, $100 million mosque and community center in 2010 were much more ambitious in scope, his new project will be around 5,000 square feet and include a public green space. Award-winning French architect Jean Nouvel will design the building, according to the statement.

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