However, pressed for space, KYW-TV and its affiliated CBS stations leased space for a larger new headquarters at 1500 Spring Garden St. this spring, opening up the potential for the museum to build in a location within even closer proximity to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. John K. Binswanger, chairman of locally based Binswanger, represented the building owner, "which is Stephens Associates, a local family partnership," he tells GlobeSt.com. The price was $9.5 million, according to Binswanger, and no other broker was involved in the transaction.

An NMAJH spokesman tells GlobeSt.com that the campaign fund goal is now $135 million, "which includes an endowment for the museum in addition to construction." An initial donation of $25 million by local philanthropist Sidney Kimmel, founder of Jones Apparel Group, kicked off the campaign, and the spokesman says, "more than $80 million has been raised."

Meanwhile, because of the new location, the lead architect, the New York City-based Polshek has gone back to the drawing board. Although, final plans are not complete, the spokesman says the building will be between four and five stories high and contain between 80,000 sf and 100,000 sf. Currently, the museum occupies less than 10,000 sf, "so this will be a significant expansion." In addition to more exhibit area, it will have expanded curatorial room and space for its substantial collection.