The public saw the first sight in the new train station of Penn Station in the historic Farley Post Office building, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday.
Moynihan Train Hall – which officially opens on Friday – boasts a $ 1.6 trillion waiting area that will serve as the hub for Amtrak and Long Island Rail Road, next to 700,000 square feet of commercial and dining space, officials said.
Inside, passengers have access to the massive open room – with escalator connections to Penn Station platforms – as well as a private waiting area with seats for ticket customers.
The great atmosphere of the train room offers a stark contrast to the existing Penn Station, which consists of dimly lit, cavernous underground tunnels, which Governor Andrew Cuomo likened to Dante’s “Hell.”
“We built this as a statement about who we are and who we think we are and who we aspire to be,” Cuomo said as he opened the room.
“It’s bold, yes, because that’s the spirit of New York, and that’s the statement we want to make to our visitors, our children, and future generations.”
In addition to its 92-foot skylight, Moynihan offers installations by artists Kehinde Wiley, Stan Douglas and Elmgreen & Dragset.
The song Wiley is a trio of stained glass images showing breakdancing against a blue sky background, while the art duo Elmgreen & Dragset contributed a pattern of skyscrapers upside down hanging from the ceiling.
Dining options at Moynihan include Magnolia Bakery, H&H Bagels, Starbucks, Damselfly Flower and luxury greeting card seller Lovepop.
Penn Station was built in the 1960s after the devastating destruction of its Beaux-Arts predecessor.
The new space is named after the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, who prepared the idea of restoring the post office building for public transport in the 1990s.
However, the construction of the train hall has been very slow, with several bumps in the road since Moynihan launched the idea. Amtrak came up with the idea in 2009, and the project finally started the following year.
“One of the first missions that Senator Moynihan gave me when he retired was to make sure Penn Station was renovated,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer, who served in the Senate with Moynihan for two years.
“When I suggested that the station be named for him, I knew the result would be something he would be proud of.”