Proposal calls for "rebirth of classical architecture" at Penn Station in New York

Local non-profit the Grand Penn Community Alliance has proposed a redevelopment of Penn Station based on the train station's original classical design that would include relocating Madison Square Garden.

The proposal was recently put forth by Grand Penn Community Alliance (GPCA) and project lead Alexandros Washburn. It includes relocating the well-known circular Madison Square Garden (MSG) arena, which sits atop and in front of Penn Station infrastructure and adding a sprawling park.

The plan also includes renovations to the existing Penn Station transportation hub that currently spans underneath Moynihan Train Hall, MSG and 2 Penn Tower, which all serve as major entrances to the underground complex.

It joins two other proposals, one from the Metropolitan Transit Authority and another private developer ASTM North America, that have been stalled since New York governor Kathy Hochul called for the station's redevelopment in 2021.

Throughout GPCA's proposed redevelopment are small buildings and a new main entrance facing the park, styled with elements of classical architecture such as Roman columns and an overall symmetric site plan.

The design concept asserts "a rebirth of classical architecture inspired by the original Penn Station" according to the GPCA website.

"The architectural working drawings from the McKim, Meade & White archive of the original Penn Station at the New York Historical were our inspiration," Washburn told Dezeen.

"In translating from 1910 ink-on-linen to 2025 Revit, we discovered something bold: classical architecture is timeless as the architecture of transportation. The trains, vehicles and technology all change over time, but we, the people, remain New Yorkers."

Renderings show a glass atrium affixed to the backside of 2 Penn Tower, which currently faces MSG, that would serve as a new primary entrance. The arched atrium meets the classical structure of the train hall, similar to the interior of the original Penn Station completed in 1910.

The proposal comes after a recent executive order issued by US President Donald Trump that promotes "traditional and classical" architecture for civic buildings.

The proposal is funded by the Washington, DC nonprofit the National Art Civic Art Society which also "advances the classical tradition in architecture" in public buildings, according to its website.

According to the New York Times, Washburn, who previously served as chief urban designer for New York City, has been involved with the redevelopment of the complex throughout his career.

"The classical architecture remains civic, uplifting and above all, public," said Washburn.

"That was a lesson from my mentor Senator Moynihan who used to shine shoes as an impoverished urchin in the classical halls of the original Penn Station. He could be shining the shoes of a millionaire. But in that classical, civic space they were equal as citizens. Grand Penn will be uplifting to all."

The original Penn Station building was completed in 1910 by architecture studio McKim, Mead, & White and featured an exterior lined with colonnades.

It was demolished in the 1960s in part to make room for the incoming Madison Square Garden.

A redesign of Penn Station has long been in the works, stalled by decades of political and environmental reviews. In 2013, four architecture studios including SHoP and Diller Scofidio + Renfro re-imagined the station.

SOM evoked "the majesty of the original Penn Station" with the completion of Moynihan Train Hall, another station that is part of the transportation hub.

The images are by Grand Penn Community Alliance.

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