new york ready to start work on penn station renovation

official plans have been unveiled for the development of new york’s penn station, with construction on the project beginning in fall, 2016. designs were first put forward in january, with US architecture firm SOM proposing to convert the adjacent beaux-arts post office building into a 21st-century public transportation hub. the new moynihan train hall will contain both amtrak and long island railroad (LIRR) ticketing and waiting areas, plus 112,000 square feet of retail and security measures.

construction on the vast project will begin in fall, 2016
image © empire state development, courtesy of SOM / volley (also main image)

the plans were unveiled by governor cuomo, who announced the selection of a developer-builder team including three companies — related companies, vornado realty LP, and skanska AB — who will execute SOM’s redesign of the farley post office building. in addition to constructing the train hall, the venture is believed to create 112,000 square feet of retail and nearly 588,000 square feet of office space. pre-construction work will begin this fall, with the new train hall expected to be completed by december 2020.

the beaux-arts post office building will be turned into a 21st-century public transportation hub
image © empire state development, courtesy of SOM / volley

‘new york’s tomorrow depends on what we do today, and the new moynihan train hall will be a world-class 21st century transportation hub,’ said governor cuomo. ‘with more than twice the passengers of all JFK, la guardia, and newark airports combined, the current penn station is overcrowded, decrepit, and claustrophobic.

the moynihan train hall will have more space than grand central’s main concourse, housing both amtrak and LIRR ticketing and waiting areas, along with state-of-the-art security features, a modern, digital passenger experience, and a host of dining and retail options. this is not a plan — this is what’s going to happen. people are going to walk through this station and recognize that this is new york.’

shops and restaurants are located under a new skylight
image © empire state development, courtesy of SOM / volley

the moynihan train hall will include shops and restaurants located under a new skylight on the structure’s historic steel trusses. the building will double the station’s amount of floor space, and service riders on the LIRR, amtrak and eventually accommodate passengers from metro-north. a total of nine platforms and 17 tracks will be accessible from the train hall.

a host of retail outlets will also be provided
image © empire state development, courtesy of SOM / brick

it was also announced that the MTA will simultaneously initiate the comprehensive redesign of the LIRR’s existing 33rd street concourse at penn station and an extensive renovation to the adjacent seventh and eighth avenue subway stations. construction on the LIRR concourse and the subway stations will conclude by or before completion of the work on the farley train hall. the redesign will include nearly tripling the width of the existing corridor, which will significantly decrease congestion and result in notably higher ceilings — providing bright lighting, new way-finding, ticketing and informational systems. see designboom’s previous coverage of the project here.

the new train hall will contain both amtrak and long island railroad ticketing and waiting areas
image © empire state development, courtesy of SOM / brick