the MOB MUSEUM
Las Vegas, Nevada

Chattel advised on the adaptive use of a former 1933 Neoclassical United States Post Office and Court House to The National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, also known as The Mob Museum. In collaboration with cultural planner Carol Goldstein, Chattel prepared a reuse feasibility study that involved mapping historically significant spaces, evaluating reuse opportunities and constraints, and preparing conceptual interior layouts. The museum opened in 2012 and since then Trip Advisor has recognized The Mob Museum as one of the 25 most popular museums in the United States.

Chattel’s work included drafting a National Register amendment, assisting in selection of the building and exhibition design team, consulting with the Nevada State Historic Preservation Office and National Park Service, completing Section 106 review, engaging in design collaboration, and conducting regular construction monitoring for conformance with the Secretary’s Standards. The National Register amendment recognized the important association with the U.S. Senate Committee to Investigate Organized Crime in Interstate Commerce that held a hearing in the courtroom of the building on November 15, 1950. Historic American Buildings Survey documentation was completed in collaboration with photographer Tavo Olmos.

The project consisted of two phases of work: the first completed in 2012 used the Historic Tax Credit program and the second complete in 2018 used New Markets Tax Credits. Exhibits were carefully integrated into historic building fabric under close review by Chattel, without compromising creativity or content.