1/11/2024 0 Comments Grand central station chicagoIt pioneered new approaches to organizing space. Grand Central didn’t just do things better than other train terminals. It compels to silence.”īehind the majestic design and décor of Grand Central Terminal is a triumph of engineering and ingenuity. “Here is a space like the nave of an Old World cathedral. “‘Fortunately there are no seats in the concourse,’ remarked one of the railway officials …, ‘or I would fear that some passengers might miss their trains while contemplating this starry picture.’” Jules Coutan, who designed the station’s decorations from Paris, The New York Times, March 31, 1912 I fear that the sight of some of your architecture would distress me.” In fact, I should wish rather to avoid it. From what I have learned pictorially of the characteristics of your country, especially with reference to the standards of art, I do not think that it would interest me. “The wonders of architecture and of luxurious embellishment will of themselves identify this building and its approaches as one of the phenomenal modern structures of the world.”Ĭoutan, asked if he would now visit the United States: “I have no such desire. By 1910, it was the vibrant heart of a dynamic, ambitious, and swiftly growing New York City. In 1870, 42nd Street was still a relative backwater. On top of that, the old station no longer reflected its surroundings. And having been designed for three independent railroad companies-with three separate waiting rooms-the terminal was badly outdated, crowded, and inefficient. The building lacked modern conveniences and signaling technology, as well as the infrastructure for electric rail lines. Its 30-year-old rail tunnels couldn’t handle the steadily increasing traffic. Though splendid in its day, the original Grand Central Depot of 1871 had become a 19th century relic struggling to meet the demands of a 20th century city. The station not only looked like no other, it functioned like no other, merging elegance with efficiency. Behind its lofty arches and elegant marble is a marvel of practical design and innovative engineering. Yet Grand Central Terminal was more than just a pretty façade. They were eager to proclaim their magnificence with a splendid monument-a fitting gateway to the nation’s exuberant financial, commercial, and cultural capital. New York City and its railroads weren’t shy.
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