NEW YORK | Pennsylvania Station Original Building | 1910-1962

[aquablue]

Originally Posted by vandelay

In the 1960s it looked like New York City, like a lot of cities in the US, was in decline. All the old industries were leaving the city, shipping, manufacturing, etc.; people were fleeing to the suburbs; the Giants and the Dodgers had left to California. The list goes on and on.

When they destroyed Penn Station the people who made the decision bet against New York City using one of NYC's family jewels, and lost the bet.

Berliln is going to reconstruct the Imperial Palace. Pity NYC couldn't follow their lead and reconstruct this once MSG finds a new home in the future.

Pity architecture or civic beauty doesn't seem to be a big priority for most NYers because this building deserves reconstruction more than any other in the USA.

[jg6544]

Originally Posted by aquablue

Of course, that is the real issue here which causes the most anger. The replacement is simply awful and MSG benefits from location but rail users suffer. You just can't get over how stupid these people were. I can't imagine how intelligent people couldn't have foreseen a future need for a large station in such a dense city as Manhattan. Did they really think auto traffic growth alone was sustainable and enough to see train travel dwindle?

Penn Station is still pretty busy, not only Amtrak, but the LIRR on the lower level. Unfortunately, the experience of using it now is like that of wandering through a maze.

[PhillyToNYC]

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

so, tough shit, eh?

Pretty much my thoughts.

[THE BIG APPLE]

Originally Posted by jg6544

Penn Station is still pretty busy, not only Amtrak, but the LIRR on the lower level. Unfortunately, the experience of using it now is like that of wandering through a maze.

Because it's still the same city, same island (Manhattan), and same rail lines. Just different more modern building.

[jg6544]

Originally Posted by THE BIG APPLE

Because it's still the same city, same island (Manhattan), and same rail lines. Just different more modern building.

It isn't a building now as much as it's a hole in the ground. The building is MSG, and that's butt-ugly. You could replace the damned thing with a parking lot and improve the neighborhood.

[NYguy]

I didn't know this was in the making, but it should be a very good watch...


http://mas.org/the-history-of-penn-s...s-documentary/


The History of Penn Station Highlighted in New PBS Documentary

February 11th, 2014

On February 18th, PBS will premiere The Rise and Fall of Penn Station, part of the American Experience series. The documentary presents an engrossing look at the monumental feats of engineering 100 years ago that led to the construction of the tunnels, tracks and station house that made up the original Penn Station. Tonight, the Museum of the City of New York is hosting a special screening of the film with filmmaker Randall MacLowry; executive producer Mark Samels; Lorraine Diehl, author of The Late, Great Pennsylvania Station; and historian Jill Jonnes, author of Conquering Gotham. Click through to watch a preview.

• Video Link


A longer, 8 minute clip below...

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexpe...s/penn/player/

[Perklol]

That was such a beautiful station but it went away too soon thanks to cars/airplanes.
Anyway it reminds me of the farley post office nearby. It takes up too much space and almost vacant. Unfortunately it has outlived its usefulness.

[KevininPhx]

Review: PBS's The Rise and Fall of Penn Station www.TVFirstLook.com

[MolsonExport]

Originally Posted by NYguy

I didn't know this was in the making, but it should be a very good watch...


http://mas.org/the-history-of-penn-s...s-documentary/


The History of Penn Station Highlighted in New PBS Documentary

February 11th, 2014





• Video Link


A longer, 8 minute clip below...

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexpe...s/penn/player/

Thanks for the info and the link. I want to see the expanded documentary, on this; the most catastrophic architectural loss in American history.

[MolsonExport]

The replacement: A basement with a bunch of escalators.
• Video Link

[MolsonExport]

• Video Link

[THE BIG APPLE]

A picture of Madison Square Garden under construction, with the last wall of Old Penn Station still standing.

[Guiltyspark]

Originally Posted by ThatOneGuy

It's not being rebuilt, not now, not ever. Just accept it's gone and you will be happy. There's a reason the preservation movement started and it's because of this one being lost.

When I went to NYC, everywhere I walked around was preWWII except for the maid CBD center. And functionalist buildings are necessary there. Like I said, the main reason for this one being demolished was the massive area it took up. Trains were also becoming more obsolete in that time, as air travel increased and highways were increasing. No need for such a big station when people were using less trains.
That space was better used to make business than to be useless showiness. Plus, buildings like those are really expensive to maintain. What if this one went the route of the Michigan Central Station?

I can't see that really happening in NYC. Detroit's downfall has been massive, NYC has stayed economically strong after a slight detour in the 70s.