The public got its first chance to walk the halls of the new Moynihan train hall across from Penn Station on Friday, two days after officials cut the ceremonial ribbon to the $ 1.6 billion giant center.
For some visitors, the stop was just meant to look at the huge hall, complete with a huge skylight and Art Deco clock. Many of them have been spotted tapping their necks to take in the open skylight and turning their hips to take picturesque, panoramic photos. Others searched for fresco portraits created by Kehinde Wiley, displayed prominently at the 33rd Street entrance, or the spacious and modern Amtrak lounge on the top floor.
The self-proclaimed train and travel nerd Christian Keesee (59) of the Upper East Side was one of the first people in Moynihan on Friday morning and declares it a true gem for the city.
“It’s a New York station made for New Yorkers, it’s fantastic,” he said. ‘The light, we need it, I do not like to be underground. I like to be above ground, I like the sunshine, the seasons, I think it’s fantastic. His partner Larry Keigwan, 48, added: “Long overdue, so wonderful, it feels appropriate for the new year, and it’s inspiring, I really like it.”
Jess Allen, 45, of Chelsea, brought her 6-year-old son Wolf to the train station. With a view of the 225,000-square-foot space from the top level, where a food court is expected to open later this year, Wolf marveled at the open space.
“The one thing is that it’s very large and that it does not get crowded like the small station, Penn Station,” Wolf said.
With few people traveling by train on Friday, children as young as 18 months dragged across the squeaking fresh marble floors. Tim Mulligan, 27, of the Upper West Side, brought his toddler to Moynihan.
“It gives us something to be proud of and excited about when you enter Penn Station, and it’s something that has been missing for a long time,” Mulligan said. “I’m really scared to get to Penn Station, but I’m looking forward to having a reason to take the train so I can really experience it.”
The train station – named after the late US Senator Daniel P. Moynihan – only has access to the Long Island Railroad and Amtrak platforms. NJ Transit riders must still use Penn Station to ride on the track.
Christine Davis identifies herself as a senior citizen, and walks three miles from the Upper West Side to drop by. She works across the street at One Penn Plaza, but has not been in the area since the pandemic began in March.
“It’s a testament to the strength of the people, and a willingness of the people to go on and not be afraid to have beautiful structures for the whole nation,” Davis said. “I’m very happy to be here.”