Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
DC Museum's Goiter Named After Bloomberg
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 23, 2012
Modified Mar 23, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 23, 2012
Modified Mar 23, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington D.C. has been planning to inflate a bubble from its central plaza for the past few years. And now it's been announced that the temporary pavilion will be called the Bloomberg Bubble, after a major benefactor.
Okay, technically the bubble is named after Bloomberg LP, which, in 2010, donated $1 million to the project, but let's face it—Mayor Bloomberg founded Bloomberg LP, which is the source of his great wealth. And it seems that the donation has, uh, ballooned in size from the $1 million, but there hasn't been confirmation by how much.
The building was designed by Gordon Bunshaft, who designed the gorgeous Lever House in NYC, and is a circular, fortress-like museum. As for the Bloomberg Pavilion, DCist explains, "Washingtonians started calling the project the 'Bubble' not long after it was first announced in late 2009. The Hirshhorn originally hoped to 'inflate' the structure, designed by the architectural firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro, later this year, but funding snags pushed the opening into 2013." Diller Scofidio + Renfro is known to NYers for its work on the High Line and the Lincoln Center update.
Tagged
Bloomberg bubble
d.c.
hirshhorn museum
mayor bloomberg
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
DSA to Mamdani: Fire NYPD commissioner if ICE doesn't leave NYC
The DSA's NYC chapter accused the NYPD of collaborating with ICE and demanded Mayor Mamdani hold Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch responsible.
By
Elizabeth Kim
,
Brigid Bergin
and
Ben Feuerherd
Published Oct 9, 2026 at 6:31 p.m. ET
Two people killed in Bronx vehicle crash
When officers arrived on the scene in Allerton Friday afternoon, they found three pedestrians who were unconscious with trauma to the head and body, according to the NYPD. Two individuals later died.
By
Kaya Laterman
News
Two people killed in Bronx vehicle crash
When officers arrived on the scene in Allerton Friday afternoon, they found three pedestrians who were unconscious with trauma to the head and body, according to the NYPD. Two individuals later died.
By
Kaya Laterman
NY will opt in Trump’s school choice program, Hochul says
By
Jon Campbell
Residents, lawmakers warned for months of potential for deadly ICE activity in Marble Hill
By
David Brand
Manhattan DA argues judge shouldn't dismiss state charges against Luigi Mangione
By
Samantha Max
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .