PENNSYLVANIA
STATION
History of Penn Station
Completed in 1910, New York’s original Pennsylvania station was a monument for a new era of transportation and economic power. Prior to the construction of this station, the last step of train travel into the city of New York required a ferry ride from New Jersey into Manhattan. President of the Pennsylvania Rail Road, Alexander Cassatt, sought to find a resolution to this issue. He wanted to not only bring more ease to the lives of Americans, but also an opportunity to express America’s economic power. With the financial support of J.P Morgan (currently known as Chase Bank), Cassatt purchased majority of the railroads within the Manhattan area with the ambitious goal to bring trains directly into Manhattan. To help him realize his dream, Cassatt hired the architecture firm of McKim, Mead, and White.
Construction, Technology, & Materiality
The construction of Old Penn Station required quite a unique process, as it was not the typical mid rise building. To begin with, the area which the station would occupy covered four city blocks (eight acres) which needed to be demolished and prepared, which included hundreds of buildings. Even with all this land, the horizontal area was considered limited, and much of the layout was in the vertical, and the station required a substantial amount of work underground.
Cassatt instructed to the firm to design a system of underground tunnels, which would lead directly to the island. In order to construct these tunnels, supporting columns were embedded 15 feet into bedrock, and each tunnel line with two feet of concrete. The train tunnels were stacked, and Cassatt planned for future development as he left space for future subway tunnels to pass above. The tracks were located 45 feet below street level, with hundreds of columns extending upward to support the main concourse. Because the tunnels were designed to run underground, this project implemented a new type of train technology. From a fear of passenger asphyxiation, the trains could not be steam powered, and Cassatt invested in a relatively new technology, electric trains.
​
​
​
​
​
The owner of the Railroad and the architects wanted to make a statement with this train station. Their goal was for this station to be a “gateway” into the New York. This was meant to be more than just a building housing a train station, it was meant to be a monument. The building is a blend of two styles. It utilizes both stone and iron to best accomplish its two main functions. The stone is mainly expressed on the Neo-Classical exterior and in the grand interior waiting room. The main waiting area is modeled directly after the Baths of Caracella in Rome. The architects explained the precedent by stating that it is one of “the greatest examples in architectural history of large roofed-in areas adapted to assemblages of people.” On the other hand, the iron visually enhances the entirety of the utilitarian train concourse area. These atmosphere of the two spaces are intentionally opposite to convey their different functions and purposes.
In a time of history where iron was not entirely accepted for architectural ornamentation, this station seems to have challenged the common belief. The main concourse area proudly displays the ironwork both structurally and ornamentally. Although some critics of this building did not approve of the monumental exterior not agreeing with the utilitarian use within, I personally think that the opposing styles only add to the beauty of this building. It is a way to give people a sight that they are familiar with, and will associate with power, but also an insight into a modern technology and its simple functionality. Similarly to buildings such as the Bibliotheque Ste.-Genevieve in Paris and The Natural History Museum in England.
CLICK PLAY BUTTON BEFORE EXPLORING GALLERY
Gallery
Beginning stages of the underground work. The underground tunnels proved to be quite difficult and underground construction itself took several years.
Elevation of the building relevant to the tracks and main concourse
Plan of Penn Station. Accessing the building from the main entrance, there is a long arcade which housed small shops and other retail space. The arcade leads into the grand waiting room, modeled directly from the Baths of Caracalla. From the waiting room, stairs lead down into the main train concourse area.
Drawing of the arcade with shops on either side
The grand waiting room was modeled directly after the Baths of Caracalla in Rome. The space is designed with the same proportions, however it is scaled up 20% to meet the spacial requirements of this buildings' function.
A drawing of the main assembly area within the Baths of Caracalla in Rome
