After decades of planning and three years of construction, Moynihan Train Hall in Manhattan has finally opened its doors to commuters. The 255,000-square-foot redevelopment of the famed James A. Farley Post Office building was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and is filled with a 92-foot-tall glass. atrium returning to the original terminal. The new space, unveiled by Governor Cuomo on Wednesday, will help alleviate the congestion of commuters and improve train schedules and capacity.
The facility is located directly opposite Penn Station on Eighth Avenue and provides direct access to Amtrak, the Long Island Rail Road and six existing subway lines serving the area. The project also included the addition of eight new train tracks, extensive ticket and baggage check-in areas, lounge areas for leading customers, a business center and free WiFi throughout.
Exterior view of Moynihan Station. Photo: New York State
Commuter car area at Moynihan Train Hall. Photo: New York State
Interior view of Moynihan Train Hall. Photo: New York State
The most impressive part of the facility is its glass hood, with four curved safes, each made of 500 panels inside an ornate metal frame. This bright hall is an unmatched improvement over the narrow, labyrinthine corridors of Penn Station, and will make commuting through one of the busiest corners of New York City a sunnier affair.
Interior view of Moynihan Train Hall. Photo: New York State
Interior view of Moynihan Train Hall. Photo: New York State
The public-private redevelopment was led by a consortium of entities including Empire State Development, Vornado Realty Trust, related companies, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Amtrak and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Skanska served as construction manager for the project, which first landed in 2017.
Eighth Avenue subway entrance at Moynihan Station. Photo: New York State
Eighth Avenue subway entrance at Moynihan Station. Photo: New York State
The hall is part of a $ 1.6 billion project that will eventually include additional corridors, subway entrances and a variety of retail and dining options for waiting passengers.
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