A visit to Grand Central Terminal is a discovery tour for anyone who loves the unusual and fascinating. Few places embody the energy, ambition and architectural splendor of this city like Grand Central Terminal.
The origins: from Grand Central Depot to Grand Central Station
The history of Grand Central Terminal does not begin with today’s magnificent building, but with more modest beginnings. In 1871, the Grand Central Depot was opened on the same site. It served as a joint terminal for three railroad companies. The main building was shaped like an L and housed the companies’ offices as well as the tracks. The station featured innovations that had never before been seen on the American continent: for example, the platforms were raised to the height of the wagons and a vaulted roof spanned all the tracks.
However, the depot soon proved to be too small for the rapidly growing volume of traffic. The first expansion and renaming as Grand Central Station took place in 1900, when the building was extended by 3 floors and given a new façade. The concourse remained, but the track bed was altered so that the handling process could be accelerated.
The construction of the Grand Central Terminal
The decision to build today’s Grand Central Terminal was made just a few years later. The project not only included the construction of a new station building, but also the complete electrification of the tracks and the laying of large sections of the railroad line underground. This tunneling made it possible to develop the valuable area above, which would later become the Midtown Manhattan district.
The construction work, which took ten years, was a logistical and technical masterpiece. Over 10,000 workers were involved in the project, which cost an estimated 80 million US dollars – an astronomical sum for the time. Grand Central Terminal finally opened its doors on February 2, 1913.
Rescue from demolition
After decades of operation, Grand Central Terminal faced considerable challenges in the middle of the 20th century. The rise of the automobile and the airplane led to a decline in rail passenger numbers. The building became increasingly dilapidated and in the 1960s there were serious plans to demolish it and replace it with a modern skyscraper.
At this point, one of the most prominent figures in American history stepped up to the plate: Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. As a committed advocate of historic preservation, she campaigned for the preservation of Grand Central Terminal. Her efforts, along with other activists and organizations, led to a landmark legal battle that went all the way to the United States Supreme Court. In 1978, the Court ruled in favor of historic preservation, which is considered a milestone in American historic preservation and contributed to the preservation of Grand Central Terminal.
In the 1990s, a comprehensive restoration was carried out, returning the building to its original splendor. The famous ceiling was cleaned, decades of dirt and nicotine were removed, and countless architectural details were carefully restored.
Grand Central today
Today, Grand Central Terminal is not only a bustling transportation hub serving hundreds of thousands of commuters and travelers every day, but also a vibrant cultural and commercial center. It is home to numerous restaurants, cafés and stores.
The terminal also regularly hosts events, exhibitions and markets. Vanderbilt Hall often serves as a venue for public events and private parties. For those interested in history, guided tours are offered that provide insights into the architecture, history and many secrets of the building.
Unusual, old, modern – a discovery tour
Of course, you can’t just enter the station to catch a train. It’s worth going on a discovery tour – whether from the outside or inside the building, there’s plenty to see.
Grand Central Terminal is an outstanding example of Beaux-Arts architecture, a style known for its opulent details, symmetrical floor plans and use of classical motifs.
The façade of the building, which rises on 42nd Street, is crowned by an ensemble of sculptures. It shows Hercules, Mercury and Minerva and symbolizes strength, speed and wisdom. These attributes were deliberately chosen to symbolize the characteristics of the transportation center.
At the time when Grand Central Terminal was built, it was important to inform passengers of the exact departure times. Not everyone had a clock, so the world’s largest Tiffany clock with a diameter of 4.5 m was installed on the outer façade where it was clearly visible. It is made of brass and stained glass.
Tour of Grand Central Terminal
When you step through the entrance doors, you will either find yourself in a long corridor or directly at an impressive staircase. Whichever entrance you choose, the path always leads into the impressive entrance hall, the heart of the station.
The Main Concourse, the large main hall, has gigantic dimensions (over 80 meters long, 36 meters wide and 38 meters high). My first glance into the hall elicited a “WOW” from me. I was not only impressed by its appearance, I was also immediately captivated by the hustle and bustle, the many people and the certain degree of hustle and bustle. Just standing here and observing will certainly not be boring.
The ceiling
Probably the most famous feature of this hall is the ornately painted ceiling, which depicts a constellation. The dark gray-blue celestial painting shows over 2,500 stars and the signs of the zodiac. The artist Paul César Hellau designed this work of art in collaboration with a professor of astronomy. The latter provided him with a map, which was, however, depicted mirror-inverted on the ceiling. Intentional or accidental? That remains unclear to this day. There are various theories, such as that the star constellations are shown from God’s point of view.
The work had to be restored in the 1990s. The historical appearance was retained and the soot, dirt and nicotine deposits were removed. In one place, near the crab, the original condition has been preserved. The aim is to draw attention to the consequences of environmental pollution.
The information kiosk with a treasure
Down in the hall, there is a constant hustle and bustle. In the middle is the information desk with its four-sided clock. The counter is not only a popular meeting place. This is also where you can actually get information from employees.
The highlight, however, is the watch. They are supposedly made of opal and are said to be worth over 20 million US dollars. I can’t quite believe that. Allegedly, even an experienced watchmaker could not confirm the value of this watch (according to the New York Times 2017). And to be honest, a watch of this value almost unguarded … you really have to believe in the good in people….
What else is there to see in the hall?
I really liked the reliefs above the windows. For example, I discovered the winged wheel, the symbol of mobility, there.
The stairs that lead up to the so-called gallery/balcony on both sides of the hall are very impressive. They remind me a little of stairs in a palace. They certainly not only have a representative function here, but also provide space for the many visitors who stream in and out every day.
The two long sides of the hall are designed differently. One side provides access to the tracks. On the other side are the ticket counters. At first I thought that these were no longer in use, but I was proved wrong. At least 2 ticket offices were open and selling tickets. Otherwise, passengers use the ticket machines in the somewhat hidden area of the hall.
After we had had a good look around, it was time to discover the other areas of the station.
The platforms
Doors lead from the entrance hall to the platforms. The station has 44 platforms. This is said to be the most in the world. A total of 67 passenger tracks lead into the station. Not all of them are used by passengers; some are only used to park trains.
The tracks are located on two levels – one starting from the main hall and one starting from the lower station level. Both areas had one thing in common: the tracks were “not beautiful, but functional”. Bare concrete, somewhat dark and above all practical – that’s how I would describe the tracks. Where other architects and managers design and come up with one visual highlight after another, simplicity dominates here. I found it a little dark at first glance, but I don’t really need more than the platform just to get on the train. You can wait for the train in other beautiful places here.
Secret platform: the “Track 61”
Unlike track 9 ¾ of Harry Potter, there really is a secret track in New York.
Numerous stories surround the secret “Track 61”. The platform is not open to the public. It is said to be located directly under the Waldorf Astoria Hotel and was allegedly used as a private entrance for President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
It is said that a special elevator connected the platform directly to the hotel’s presidential suite. Roosevelt is said to have used this route to escape pesky journalists, for example. Other sources claim that he used the elevator during his tuberculosis illness so that he could be transported discreetly.
Other guests (e.g. General Pershing), who valued their privacy and arrived in their own railroad carriage, were also said to have used this entrance.
Some sources also report that the platform was used for private parties. Andy Warhol is said to have held a legendary party there in 1965.
Today, platform 61 is no longer used, but it is still located under the Waldorf Astoria and there is allegedly still a railroad carriage there.
Vanderbilt Hall: elegance for events
Adjacent to the Main Concourse is Vanderbilt Hall. It was originally intended as a reception hall for travelers. An impressive hall with high ceilings, large windows and elegant architecture.
Today, it serves as a magnificent venue for public markets, exhibitions, galas and private parties. One small area is a restaurant where you can wait at small tables for your train to depart.
Shopping experience
What would a train station be without shopping facilities? Grand Central Terminal not only has an Apple Store in the gallery, but also numerous stores in the many corridors. Whether it’s snacks for your journey, clothing, toys, souvenirs or high-quality gift ideas – there’s nothing you can’t find.
I was particularly impressed by the large supermarket area. Numerous specialties were tempting and I am sure that some products are still sold here as “travel food” or “culinary souvenirs”.
The basement
A staircase leads to the basement of the station. A very clear sign above the stairs tells you everything you need to know. There is a food court here.
A large selection of products is offered for small and large appetites. There are options in every price range – from bagels to oysters and from savory to sweet temptations. A great place to wait for the train.
The “Whispering Gallery” and its acoustic wonders
Close to the Oyster Bar restaurant on the Lower Level is the so-called “Whispering Gallery”. This is one of the most fascinating and unusual places in Grand Central.
Thanks to the special acoustics of the vaulted ceiling, you can experience an amazing phenomenon here. If you stand in front of the bar, there is a corner to the left in the large ceramic archway. Anyone standing in this corner and whispering towards the corner can be heard loud and clear on the opposite side. Amazing, because it is almost 9m away!
It’s a play on acoustics and a small, interactive proof of the ingenious design of the terminal.
Is a visit to Grand Central Terminal worthwhile?
Definitely!!!!
Of course it’s worth a visit for travelers who want to discover the world from here and hop on a train.
But it’s also worth it if you “just” want to go on a voyage of discovery in the station. We’ve been there twice and I’m sure we haven’t seen everything yet. There are simply so many small and large details, from the letterbox to the lettering above the door, which sometimes only catch the eye at second glance.
My tip: plan some time, it’s a great place if the weather is bad. If you like, you can book exciting tours that show the little and big places in Grand Central Terminal.
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