Leaked Plans Show Classical Design and Name Addition for Penn Station Overhaul

Leaked architectural renderings and engineering documents show a planned overhaul of Penn Station that includes classical columns, brass railings, and a presidential seal carved into stone near a new Eighth Avenue entrance. The documents, obtained by Gothamist, depict ceilings rising as much as 50 feet in some areas and natural light increasing from roughly 3,400 square feet to more than 55,000 square feet through new glass entrances and windows.

The winning proposal came from Penn Transformation Partners, a group that includes Vornado Realty Trust, Halmar, and Skanska. The consortium was chosen last week by Amtrak and the U.S. Department of Transportation after a bidding process. Plans call for demolition of the Theater at Madison Square Garden to create a new entrance hall, additional property acquisition from the arena complex, and removal of some structural columns to improve platform access.

The redesign also prepares the station for limited through-running of NJ Transit and Long Island Rail Road trains once the Gateway tunnel project opens around 2035.

The federal government assumed oversight of the station reconstruction from the MTA last year and directed that work begin before the end of 2027. Last week the administration pledged $8 billion for the project. Amtrak stated it is now focused on securing permits and finalizing contracts. Federal officials have declined to comment on the leaked plans.