A landmark decision: Penn Station, Grand Central, and the architectural heritage of NYC 

Had the old Penn Station not been torn down it would have been one of the most famous buildings in the world today. Imagine all the times we would had seen it in movies and on TV.

After its destruction, the NY Times wrote; "Until the first blow fell, no one was convinced that Penn Station really would be demolished, or that New York would permit this monumental act of vandalism against one of its largest and finest landmarks. Its destruction left a lasting wound in the architectural consciousness of the city."

The demolition of Pennsylvania Station is a classic example of how, in modern America, profit triumphs over heritage and aesthetics.And the preservation of Grand Central Station is one happy example of the reversal of these values. But greed and the addiction to power and wealth that prevail in today’s ( 2018 ) American politics and leadership, make me fear that, if the New York City landmarks preservation law, that saved Grand Central, came before our current Supreme Court, it would not be upheld. Hail thee, Brave New World!

When I found out about the original Penn station....I couldn't fathom why they would destroy such an amazing building......I would have love to walk through it's corridors..... I went to Paris and D'Orsay it's akin to it's wall where it's designer gained inspiration....

I vaguely remember this station as a boy and the columns as you came out onto Seventh Avenue. Yes, it's true the First Lady Jackie Kennedy was hugely instrumental in saving Grand Central from the wrecking ball. As is, it is the third Grand Central on the spot. Just think how grand Pennsylvania Station would be if standing today. I read somewhere that someone said that coming into New York through Pennsylvania Station you arrived like a king and post destruction you come in like a rat. Imagine how beautiful it would be today if it had been saved. Too bad they tore down many old grand New York City hotels too like the Claridge, Astor, Savoy, Ambassador, Biltmore, The Hotel Manhattan, Drake, the original Waldorf-Astoria although the Empire State Building on this site is indeed impressive. Just think how great the old original Times Building would look like if the original Façade wasn't redone in 1964 to look modern and be named the Allied Chemical Building. Stearns Department Store on 42nd Street across from Bryant Park. Even some of the old theaters like the Roxy behind the old Taft Hotel on Seventh Avenue just north of Times Square and the original Paladium Ballroom on 14th Street about twenty years ago. The old Singer Building in the Financial District was destroyed in the mid-1960's. All architectural tragedies of NYC history. Such a shame!

What a catastrophic loss. The wine was indeed turned back into water. This could have been the fate of St Pancras Station in London in the 1960s if it hadn’t been for the writer John Betjeman who galvanised public opinion against the demolition.

This law failed to save the Singer Building which was demolished in 1966.

It's a shame to see this beautiful building demolished in favor of some disgusting sewer. At least NYC's still got Grand Central and we in LA still have Union Station.

Amazing how casually great architecture and historical sites were demolished in the 20th century in the name of progress.

Such a beautiful building.. a combination of so many architectural styles. What a shame.

It is an excellent explanation that mixes history or art, history of the city (New York) and history of urbanism. Excellent. Many thanks.

Jackie Kennedy saved grand central terminal from meeting the same fate as old pen station.

you guys are amazing, keep the videos coming

For a second I misunderstood the title of this video and thought you were going to announce a landmark decision by New York City to demolish the current Penn Station and restore the original Beaux Art masterpiece. Wouldn't that be a treat!

The destruction of Penn Station is such a monumental loss to the Architectural heritage of NY, the US and the world. I'd love to hear what you guys think of the newly opened Moynihan Train Hall and the Plans for a New Penn Station.

What a fucking tragedy

Realmente um projeto e realização espetacular e que evidencia o gosto estético americano!

Im so glad they did

You mention that train sheds were built so lofty in order to handle the steam and smoke, and that's true but, since it was a terminal, the rule at Grand Central was that no steam engines were allowed inside the train shed. Via a maneuver called the Flying Switch, the cars were rapidly unhooked from the engine as the engine was shunted out of the way, and brakemen would control the momentum of the cars as they glided up to the platform.

Rebuild this station!!! There are currently several different plans for upgrading that block. Most of them include keeping MSG there and the majority of operations underground. ReThinkNYC penn station is the only one (that I am aware of) that wants to rebuild the station to be as close to the original as possible. The only difference is that it'll have some 21st century modifications (not to the architecture).

NYC’s biggest mistake.

It's a shame about Federal Hall... I feel like Dr. Zucker's tone was a bit incensed talking about it. Almost brought the New Yorker out of him, lol.😅 As someone who's never been on a train, I wouldn't mind checking Penn Station out! That initial view of the interior didn't quite make me go, "Oh yeah, the Baths of Carcalla, for sure!" but it did remind me of many cathedrals in earlier playlists. I'm glad laws are in place to preserve against greed and selfish interests for the majority / progeny.

A 'miracle' of a building and an architectural gem. Its destruction was a travesty overseen by philistines who had no love for the past or beautiful architecture.

This video is great! It gives me hope about a building in the Grand Concourse in the Bronx- Mount Hope Center of the Arts, which was design by Francis L.V. Hopping and Terrace A. Koen same architects which also design other New York City landmarks. It is being suggested that the building gets demolished but that would be a great loss of a building which can be marked as a landmark building based on its history and architecture. I have been admiring a set of stained glass windows which are part of the building yet I am not sure how to approach this. I still keep my hope for The Mount Hope Center of the Arts mainly because I've grown to love this neighborhood over the years.

Could we get a visual analysis of Ucellos the hunt in the forest? thanks I love the videos!!

New York's Landmarks commission is somewhat unique. In most American cities Landmark designation no real legal protection that cannot be undone by an owner who wants to destroy a building. This is not a good thing.

Incomprehensible that such a truly magnificent building should be wilfully destroyed. Many people, sadly, can see only money. This would have been New York’s finest building if it was still standing.

They also took down the iconic Singer Tower during the '60s. Another terrible loss.

Can’t they build it back. Like it was?

I guess people today love to build Shoe Box buildings

What Maniac allowed this to happen and why don't they just rebuild it the way that it was it would take a long time but they can get great construction men and rebuild it to its natural features

What a crime

Madmen Season 3 episode 2 anyone?

But you can’t tear down the new one now because it’s kinda like a 80’s mall and those are getting pretty rare nowadays 🤔.

They need to knock down the entire building again and stop renovating the dilapidated ass building.

Cuomo had a chance to remake the old penn station but he chose to just add a new staircase :(