Project case study

Behind the scenes look inside the Skanska-built Moynihan Train Hall in New York City

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On December 31, 2020, our New York team completed the rehabilitation and total renovation of the historic James A. Farley building into the new Moynihan Train Hall (Moynihan). The transformative $1.6 billion project included renovating 1.3 million square feet of transit, retail and commercial office space to give 600,000 daily commuters a 21st century experience.

Interior view of Moynihan Train Hall with glass ceiling and modern steel architecture.

The project also expanded Penn Station’s total floor space by more than 50 percent. Recently, the New York Landmarks Conservancy granted Moynihan the Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award, which is given to projects that demonstrate excellence in the restoration, preservation or adaptive re-use of historic buildings. In honor of this award, let’s take a step back in time to showcase some before and after photos of this incredible project.

Before

Aerial view of a construction site with cranes and curved glass roof structures.

Construction workers installing glass panels on a modern building facade using safety gear.

Group of construction workers wearing helmets and safety vests at a building site.

Construction site with escalators and stairs in a building under renovation.

Large group of construction workers wearing helmets and vests inside a building site.

Large industrial warehouse under construction with workers and building materials inside.

2018: In September, our team reached an important milestone with the completion of the steel structure for the first four vaults of the signature Moynihan skylight. This is an overhead view of the Moynihan and Midblock skylights.

2018: Here, our team members are installing one of thousands of panels that make up Moynihan’s two grand skylights. The 92-foot-high skylights rest upon the building’s historic steel trusses, and includes over an acre of glass.

2018: In November, 29 girls from high schools across New York, New Jersey and Connecticut joined our Skanska team for a Day of Discovery. Sponsored by the Metro New York chapter of the Skanska Women’s Network (SWN) and Moynihan project team members, the day was a perfect opportunity to introduce the young women to careers in architecture, engineering and construction.

2019: From restoring original custom terra cotta pieces on the building’s exterior to constructing this grand staircase that takes travelers to 32nd street, our team’s efforts ensured Moynihan remains a living monument to its past and a vibrant symbol of New York’s future.

2019: Thank you to all of our team members who played a part in bringing Moynihan to life. The project created more than 5,000 construction jobs and is estimated to generate an additional 11,000 indirect jobs.

2019: Despite the difference in color, the grey-beige stone floor comes from the same quarry as Grand Central Station’s pink stone floors. Also shown in this photo are five of the 11 escalators that now take travelers to the trains. The back wall now features massive LED screens.

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After

Aerial night view of a large illuminated urban building with surrounding city streets.

Modern glass atrium and rooftop view of a city building at dusk with lights on.

Spacious Moynihan Train Hall interior with glass ceiling and modern architecture.

Modern train station interior with glass ceiling, escalators, and a central clock.

Modern office lounge with brown leather sofas, glass walls, and wooden ceiling design.

Modern train station waiting area with wooden benches and digital schedule boards.

Historic black-and-white mural of Pennsylvania Station from 1910 inside a modern terminal.

Did you know that Moynihan is Skanska’s second largest project in the world? Our One Skanska team spent eight years converting the century-old James A. Farley U.S. Postal Office building into a modern, 225,000 square-foot mixed-use facility and transit hub that now serves Long Island Railroad and Amtrack customers. (Photo Credit: Lucas Blair Simpson © SOM)

Moynihan features a spectacular 92-foot-high glass canopy roof and skylight centerpiece that welcomes abundant natural light into the space. The skylight’s construction required 775,000 pounds of steel reinforcement and consists of nearly 2,200 individual glass panels. (Photo Credit: Lucas Blair Simpson © SOM)

Moynihan customers now have improved access to nine platforms and 17 tracks, a direct connection to the Eighth Avenue Subway and, for the first time ever, a new entrance to the Penn-Farley complex on Ninth Avenue. Moynihan also offers 700,000 square feet of new commercial, retail and dining space, creating an iconic civic space for Manhattan's West Side. (Photo Credit: Nicholas Knight)

A grand, Art Deco-style clock hangs 25 feet above the floor in the center of Moynihan. The 12-foot-tall by six-feet-wide clock is intended as a meeting point for commuters. (Photo Credit: Lucas Blair Simpson © SOM)

An exciting amenity is Amtrak’s flagship Metropolitan Lounge. Amtrak Guest Rewards members and first-class Acela and sleeper passengers are given access to this luxury lounge, which is outfitted with a balcony overlooking the train hall, quiet space, a room for families with small children, a nursing mothers’ room and a bar area. (Photo Credit: Nicholas Knight)

Moynihan’s ticketed waiting room features walnut banquettes, Passenger Information Display Systems (PDIS), restrooms, charging stations, powered seats, assistive listening and WiFi. (Photo Credit: Nicholas Knight)

In the baggage claim area is a black-and-white timeline mural that documents the history of the original Penn Station and Farley building. (Photo Credit: Nicholas Knight)

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