The New Penn Station that New York City Deserves

In collaboration with ReThink Penn Station NYC , and in partnership with The National Monuments Foundation, we have proposed three different variations on McKim’s original design, ranging from a full rebuild to a partial rebuild which leaves Madison Square Garden in place, authored by Richard Cameron/RWC Atelier & Co.

These three variations propose a beautiful modernized classical design—one truly worthy of New York and all those who pass through Penn Station—and which honors our great city’s extraordinary architectural heritage. None of these entail demolishing the neighborhood, and all can be configured to enable through-running transit. Bringing back the grandeur to an important civic space, and righting the architectural tragedy that was the demolition of the original McKim Mead & White station, would be a true New York story.

Enjoy the archive below and join us in our advocacy!

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HISTORY

We have been working on the idea of rebuilding Penn Station—based on the original McKim, Mead & White design—for over 30 years, starting with the cover illustration for the very first issue of The Classicist in 1994.

Original design and renderings by Richard Cameron/RWC Atelier & Co. (All Rights Reserved)

In 2024, together with ReThink NYC, we proposed “The McKim Variations”

version #1

Here the entire site is returned to its original use as a transit facility with a modernized version of McKim’s station to be built on it, invoking the original beauty and grandeur of the 1910 station inspired by the Roman baths of Caracalla with modifications for contemporary sensibilities and transit needs. Here is a rendering of what it would look like, showing a revivified Eighth Avenue presence reflecting the new dynamism of Midtown West.

version #2

In this version, 70% or more of a modernized version of the original Penn Station would be built. This proposal enables the return of McKim’s Main Waiting Room and the Eighth Avenue Train Concourse but loses much of the Seventh Avenue end of the station, including the Arcade and the great Bernini-influenced Seventh Avenue entrance façade to accommodate Two Penn Plaza.

version #3

The original station’s perimeter wall is extended over 70% of the site with some adjustments for differing points of egress and ingress. Madison Square Garden’s drum-like arena is re-clad in the style of McKim, Mead, and White using the appropriate materials, with architectural quotations from Stanford White’s original MSG as well. It repositions the Main Waiting Room as the mid-block train hall. The proposal includes a spherical roof which would be retractable so that concerts and games could have an outdoor element and view of the surrounding city.

New Penn Station & Madison Square Garden

Design Modifications by Richard Cameron, Rendering by NOVA Concepts, Sponsored by ReThink Penn Station NYC

Design Modifications by Richard Cameron, Rendering by Jeff Stikeman, Sponsored by ReThink Penn Station NYC

Design Modifications by Richard Cameron, Rendering by NOVA Concepts, Sponsored by ReThink Penn Station NYC

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LEARN MORE HERE

On January 9th, together with the New England chapter of the ICAA, and Architectural Delight, we were delighted to co-sponsor a Zoom lecture featuring our continuing efforts to see a new Penn Station in New York built in the McKim, Mead & White traditions. Richard Cameron was joined by Sam Turvey, Chairperson of ReThinkNYC, an organization that has been supporting these efforts to date.