Posted Aug 8, 2026, 2:22 PM
|
 |
New Yorker for life
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Borough of Jersey
Posts: 56,961
|
|
Not anything current, but you can see some ideas behind Vornado's planning in the Penn District....
https://www.alliesandmorrison.com/projects/the-penn-district
Quote:
|
The Penn District exemplifies Manhattan’s urbanity: tall buildings, the grid, the multi-layered cityscape. Anchored by Penn Station and Madison Square Garden, it is a prime location primed to offer more. So, the principal landowners of the area invited us to rethink how The Penn District could be a more inviting place. Following months of study and design development, we drew up proposals for a district-level vision, block-level strategies and building-level interventions. Rooted in the special character of New York, we envisioned a retrofit of the existing built and urban fabric at a memorable scale. A number of these ideas have been implemented.
|
Quote:
|
In urban architecture, designing buildings is only part of the challenge. True innovation lies in reimagining the interplay between buildings, spaces, and the people who inhabit them. Manhattan’s Penn District offers a compelling canvas on which to explore this. We were invited to explore how new development could be stitched into their land holdings around Penn Station. The brief was to find opportunites to reactivate forgotten spaces and to increase the area's value - at one of New York's busiest public transit hubs.
|
Quote:
|
As one of New York’s best-connected locations, it has the capacity to be one of the world’s most significant urban centres. One of the city’s prime transport hubs, Penn Station lies belowground (It has since been expanded above ground with the refurbishment of the Beaux-Arts Farley Post Office into Moynihan Train Hall). Madison Square Garden, one of America’s iconic venues sits within the milieu. Yet the surrounding office buildings were of an ageing stock, facing challenges of a disconnected pedestrian experience, underutilised public spaces, and a lack of cohesive character. It needed a refresh.
|
Quote:
The task was to imagine ways in which to reshape an underperforming area into a more dynamic place. We worked closely with and for Vornado Realty Trust to get under the skin of the area and develop ideas for architectural and public realm improvements that would redefine this essential Midtown Manhattan neighbourhood.
We drew inspiration from the geological bedrock that underpins the island’s iconic skyline, focusing on creating a series of interconnected experiences, bridging subterranean infrastructure with above-ground activity. This concept emphasised the importance of urban flows, the interplay of diverse building typologies and the stitching in of a new family of spaces that would collectively generate a vibrant, layered urban experience.
Despite its proximity to vibrant Broadway, The Penn District had long felt disconnected — a mere 1.5 blocks away, but a world apart. Our study sought to bridge these gaps, ensuring the area felt like a more cohesive piece of city.
|
Quote:
|
McKim, Mead & White’s Hotel Pennsylvania would retain one wing while others would be replaced by 250,000 sqft retail and entertainment space. Anchoring this transformation near major attractions like Macy’s and Broadway would create a destination that draws locals and visitors alike. New tall buildings that would expand the district’s floor capacity while harmonising with its ever-evolving skyline. Streetscape improvements focused on pedestrianising streets, such as 32nd Street, which would humanise the public realm and shift the axis to prioritise people over vehicles.
|
__________________
NEW YORK is Back!
“Office buildings are our factories – whether for tech, creative or traditional industries we must continue to grow our modern factories to create new jobs,” said United States Senator Chuck Schumer.
|
Prev
Linear Mode
