Grand Central Terminal

They don’t make ‘em like this anymore.  Grand Central Terminal is a monumental train depot with a Beaux Arts design of a bygone era.  Located in midtown Manhattan, Grand Central covers three city blocks (East 42nd – East 45th St. & Vanderbilt – Madison Aves).  A commuter railroad and five subway lines converge at the terminal, as do more than half a million commuters daily.

Photo: Author

Opened in 1913, Grand Central Terminal was built to house Cornelius Vanderbilt’s railroad network, The New York Central.  It replaced an earlier terminal (1871) after a horrific train collision led the city to mandate that the train lines be electrified.  (For decades, the smoke, soot and noise from coal-burning trains running through Manhattan had been a major problem).  The electrified lines were buried, and above them sprung a highly-desired location – Park Avenue.  Despite being one of the world’s great public spaces, Grand Central was allowed to deteriorate and was scheduled for demolition in the 1960’s.  But an outcry from determined New Yorker’s (including Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis) led to landmark protection.  Through the 1980s and 90s the terminal underwent badly needed restoration, returning it to spectacular condition.

Visit

Grand Central can be reached via Metro-North Railroad, Subway (4,5,6, 7 and Shuttle lines) or city Bus – M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M42, M98, M101, M102, M104, Q32

From the south side of 42nd Street and Park Ave., take in the colossal façade of Grand Central.  Above the three enormous arched windows is Jules Coutan’s 50 ft. sculpture, “Transportation,” featuring Mercury (god of speed), flanked by Minerva and Hercules (representing wisdom and strength).  The clock beneath them is 13 ft. in circumference, and the largest work of Tiffany glass.  Also note the viaduct roadway bridging 42nd St., which diverts traffic around the sides of the terminal.

Getting its clock cleaned Photo: Author

Entering the terminal though its central doors, you’ll pass through Vanderbilt Hall, which was once the main waiting room.  The large nickle and gold-plated chandeliers feature bare light bulbs, intended to showcase the use of electricity, which was novel and luxurious in 1913.  This area is often the site of special events, including the annual Holiday Fair of artisan boutiques.

Continue into the massive Main Concourse; the heart of the terminal.  At its center is the circular Information Booth topped by the famous clock, which for nearly a century has been a popular meeting point.  The solid brass tower houses four clock faces made of opal.  The iconic clock is valued at between $10,000,000 – $20,000,000.

Look up (125 feet up) to the ceiling and its spectacular mural of the zodiac and 2,500 stars.  Designed by artist Paul Helleu and painted in gold leaf, the 60 largest stars mark the constellations and are illuminated with fiber optics.  Astrology buffs will note that the depiction is actually backwards.  Here’s an interesting video about the ceiling.

The marble Grand Staircases were modeled after those of the Paris Opera.  Atop the west staircase is Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse and the east staircase (just installed in 2000) is the Apple Store.  Speaking of stores, their are 68 on both sides of the concourse, including Grand Central Market (east) offering delicacies from some of NYC’s finest gourmet shops, and an outpost of the NY Transit Museum (west).

Whispering Gallery Photo: Author

Continuing either east or west, loop around (toward 42nd street) to the Oyster Bar Ramps, leading to the Lower Level.  They meet in front of the landmark Oyster Bar Restaurant (as old as the terminal itself) at what’s known as the Whispering Gallery.  While people muttering to themselves in corners is not unusual in NYC, there’s actually a reason here.  Whisper into one of its corners and you’ll clearly be heard in the diagonal corner across the gallery.

Continuing into the Lower Level you’ll find the Dining Concourse, offering some of NYC’s great food vendors.  It’s a good place to nosh, relax at a table or bench, or make use of the restrooms at either end.  Along the northern wall are 26 railroad tracks (there are 44 upstairs) over which are some amazing sculptural decorations.  Note the acorns and oak leaves, which Vanderbilt chose to represent with family name.

GCT Sculpture Photo: Author

For information about Grand Central, including events, self-guided tours, and train service, see their website.  There is also a Grand Central audio tour/app available.

For an elegant cocktail experience, visit the Campbell Apartment.  Once the swank private office and salon of tycoon John W. Campbell, it has been transformed into a chic cocktail lounge.  Note: “proper attire” is required (baseball caps, t-shirts, or sneakers are not allowed).

Photo: Author