Happy Anniversary Grand Central

Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Landmark Renovation
July 17, 2018
Credit: Peter Aaron

Grand Central Terminal (GCT) celebrates two significant milestones this year: June 26 commemorated the 40th anniversary of the Supreme Court's 1968 ruling that preserved the terminal's landmark status; and October 1 will mark the 20th anniversary of the renovation by Beyer Blinder Belle that restored the beloved building and transformed it into a destination for New Yorkers and visitors alike.

This year also marked the unveiling of a special plaque commemorating the efforts of Metro-North's first president, Peter Stangl, and BBB's late Founding Partner, John Belle, on the terminal's revitalization.

To celebrate the anniversaries, GCT and the New York Transit Museum are partnering with the Municipal Art Society (MAS) on an exhibition about the historic advocacy campaign and featuring before-and-after photographs of the 1998 restoration. The installation will be on view in Vanderbilt Hall mid-September through mid-October.

The advocacy campaign of more than 40 years ago, known as "The Committee to Save Grand Central Station," was organized by MAS and led by several notable New Yorkers, including former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and architect Philip Johnson. The campaign's success paved the way for the revitalization of GCT, which had fallen into disrepair. One of BBB's most notable and rewarding commissions, the rehabilitation restored the terminal to its originally glory and simultaneously transformed it into a contemporary, multi-use transit and retail hub.

Happy Anniversary Grand Central!