PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Portal is closing in Philadelphia. The live-streaming art installation in the City Hall courtyard will shut down at the end of the month.
Portal CEO Nicolas Klaus said they failed to secure funding to relocate and maintain the project in Philadelphia, which opened in fall 2024. The circular screen allows people to interact via video with others at Portals in places like Ireland, Poland and Lithuania.
Portal founder Benediktas Gylys had said he wanted it to stay in Philadelphia but needed a new partner.
The organization has not said where the North American Portal will go next, after it closes in Philadelphia on Oct. 31.
The Portal arrived in 2024 as part of the lead-up to the semiquincentennial. The city’s 2026 director, Michael Neumis, said it’s been a huge hit with residents and tourists.
“It’s been so popular and so much fun, and my favorite thing is seeing folks from all over the world waving and meeting other folks, but this really was part of the plan that it would be here for the 250th, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for it,” Neumis said. “I think overall it’s been a really unifying and joyous experience.”
