Rent/Lease Retail PENN STATION

Penn Station, Manhattan, NYC: History of the Building

New York Penn Station, originally known as Pennsylvania Station, was an iconic railroad terminal in Manhattan designed by the renowned architectural firm McKim, Mead, and White. Completed in 1910, it was celebrated as a masterpiece of Beaux-Arts architecture and engineered as one of the great public spaces in New York City. The station enabled direct rail access from the south for the first time, connecting New York to a vast rail network extending west and south through the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR).

The station occupied an 8-acre site bounded by Seventh and Eighth Avenues and 31st to 33rd Streets in Midtown Manhattan. Its grand above-ground head house and train shed featured monumental classical design elements, including a majestic General Waiting Room inspired by Ancient Roman architecture, spacious concourses with large skylights, and distinct waiting areas that distinguished arriving and departing passengers.

Planning for the station began in the early 20th century to solve the challenge that until then passengers had to transfer by ferry across the Hudson River to reach Manhattan. The development of electric locomotives made tunneling under the Hudson River feasible, leading to the construction of the North River Tunnels from Jersey City into Manhattan and the East River Tunnels linking Queens. The tunnels were completed by 1908, with the station fully opening on November 27, 1910.

For over fifty years, Penn Station served as a major hub for the Pennsylvania Railroad and other railroads, facilitating intercity and commuter travel to destinations including Chicago, St. Louis, and points south, as well as Long Island. It played a crucial role in expanding New York City's reach to surrounding suburbs and was among the busiest transportation facilities in the nation, with over 100 million passengers annually at its peak in the mid-20th century.

Following World War II, passenger rail traffic sharply declined due to the rise of automobiles and air travel. By the 1950s, maintaining the grand terminal became financially unsustainable for the railroad. In 1961, the Pennsylvania Railroad sold the station’s air rights, leading to the demolition of the above-ground head house and train shed between 1963 and 1966. This destruction of the architectural landmark provoked public outcry and helped spur the modern historic preservation movement in the United States, including the establishment of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1965.

The station’s underground platforms and concourses survived and were heavily renovated to form the smaller, modern Penn Station that exists today beneath Madison Square Garden and Pennsylvania Plaza. In the 2020s, Penn Station saw substantial expansion with the opening of the Moynihan Train Hall in the adjacent Farley Post Office building, enhancing passenger experience and capacity.

Penn Station, located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, is one of the busiest transportation hubs in the world. Its addresses include:

• 7th Avenue and 32nd Street, Manhattan, NY 10001
• 33rd Street and 7th Avenue, directly across from Madison Square Garden
• 393 7th Avenue, New York, NY 10001
• 390 7th Avenue for NJ Transit services

Moynihan Train Hall, an expansion of Penn Station, is situated at the James A. Farley Post Office Building on 8th Avenue.

Internet Providers at Penn Station, Manhattan, NYC

Penn Station, located in Midtown Manhattan, NYC, is served by several major internet providers known for their high-speed and reliable services suitable for residential and commercial needs in the area.

Verizon Fios

Verizon Fios offers fiber-optic internet with speeds starting at 300 Mbps and reaching up to 2 Gbps. Fios is noted for its high reliability with 99.9% network uptime and excellent customer service. Plans can be bundled with phone and TV services, starting around $49.99 per month with auto-pay discounts. Verizon Fios coverage includes most of Manhattan, including Midtown where Penn Station is located.

Astound Broadband (formerly RCN)

Astound Broadband provides cable and fiber internet services with speeds up to 1.5 Gbps. Known for competitive pricing, Astound offers unlimited data usage and advanced whole-home WiFi powered by eero mesh technology for extended coverage and reliable connectivity. Their fiber-powered network is available in much of Manhattan, including the Penn Station area, with plans starting as low as $35 per month.

Spectrum

Spectrum is widely available across Manhattan, offering cable and fiber internet plans with speeds up to 1 Gbps. Pricing starts at around $30 per month. Spectrum is known for offering affordable plans with no contracts, multi-year price guarantees, and convenient self-install options. Their network coverage includes Midtown Manhattan and Penn Station’s vicinity.

Earthlink

Earthlink provides internet service with speeds up to 1 Gbps and full unlimited data. It is available 100% in Manhattan, including Penn Station, offering features like free virus and spam protection and affordable modem rental.

T-Mobile Home Internet

T-Mobile offers 5G home internet service in Manhattan with speeds up to 245 Mbps and coverage around 80% of the borough. It provides a no-contract service with a $300 prepaid Mastercard promotion for new customers.

Starlink

Starlink satellite internet is available in about 99% of Manhattan, including Penn Station. It offers speeds up to 220 Mbps with flexible plans suitable for home and remote users, though it is satellite-based rather than wired fiber or cable.

Penn Station, Manhattan, NYC

Location: 33rd Street & 7th Avenue, Manhattan, New York, NY 10001

Transportation Options

Subway Lines: 2, 3, A, C, E, M, R trains serve Penn Station. The station provides easy access to multiple subway lines with frequent service.

Bus Routes Nearby: M34-SBS, M7, M20, Q32, 108, BXM4, QM24 among others have stops within a short walk of Penn Station.

Train Services:

• Amtrak: National and regional rail connections including Northeast Corridor routes to Boston, Washington DC, and beyond.
• Long Island Rail Road (LIRR): Commuter rail service into Long Island with a dedicated concourse and Moynihan Train Hall.
• NJ Transit: Commuter trains to and from New Jersey with multiple daily departures.
• PATH: Rapid transit to New Jersey.

Station Features

• Accessible station with elevators and tactile warning strips.
• Customer service ticket offices open daily.
• Waiting areas in Long Island Rail Road concourse (24-hour) and Moynihan Train Hall (5 a.m. to 1 a.m.).
• Ticket vending machines throughout the station and Moynihan Train Hall.
• Lost & Found office located between Tracks 16 and 17.

Cross Streets

Penn Station is located beneath 7th Avenue between West 31st Street and West 33rd Street, with primary entrances around West 34th Street near 7th Avenue and 8th Avenue.

Nearby Landmarks

• Madison Square Garden
• Macy’s Herald Square