Sir Novelty Fashion
Senior Member
Went to NYC for the first time about a year ago. I got out of the subway and spent a good hour searching for the rest of Penn station, which I'd heard was gorgeous. Never did find it.
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Penn Station currently has no architectural significance. I think all the good stuff went when the current Madison Sqaure Garden was built. A (former?) nearby post office building is now slated to be turned into a new, grand Penn. And are they changing the name to Moynihan or something? I'm too tired to look it all up right now...
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unimaginative2
Senior Member
Yes, the old Charles McKim Pennsylvania Station was torn down in the 60s for Madison Square Gardens and two stunningly bland office towers. There have been plans for ages now to convert the Farley Post Office building across the road, designed by the same architectural firm in the same style as the old station, but the plans are moving at a typically-New-York glacial pace. It is to be named after Daniel Patrick Moynihan, its major advocate, which shows just how long this has been taking. Initially, Amtrak was to have been the tenant, leaving the existing station to NJ Transit and the LIRR. Now, NJ Transit is to move to Moynihan. They've also gone through a bunch of design iterations. At one point it was HOK, now I think it's David Childs. Or the other way 'round.
adma
Superstar
Boy, he's the vilest style phag this side of Pim Fortuyn...
========================
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/05/04/arts/tyler5.php
Tyler Brûlé: Dreaming of stations that entice commuters
By Tyler Brûlé Published: May 4, 2007
I have designs on my local train station in London. In fact, I have designs on most major rail hubs across Europe and North America - with the possible exception of select stations in Switzerland and Germany. A little over year ago, I moved offices to a quiet side street near Marylebone Station in north London. Originally designed to be a model terminal for Britain's passenger rail services, the rather grand hotel that fronts the station used to be the headquarters for British Rail. In its day I can imagine that the ornate HQ (now part of the Landmark hotel group) and station were the envy of rail companies around the world. No doubt British rail bosses used to walk visitors straight from meetings, out the back doors, under the covered walkway and straight to the platform. The whole experience must have been one of the earliest examples of painless, seamless travel.
Today the station is an interchange for trains that lazily roll in from counties north of London, the Underground, buses and local residents and businesses. In many ways, it's one of the few London train stations that defines and supports an entire neighborhood. While a recent renovation has done much to lift the entire operation (new skylights, better retail), it could have been a fresh model for rail stations across Europe and North America.
A little to the east, St. Pancras Station is going through the finishing touches before it becomes the new hub for Eurostar and next door King's Cross is about to undergo a much needed overhaul. Plans are also under way to give some necessary attention to Euston and Paddington stations. The problem with most of the developments is that they seem to be clinging onto a glorious railway heritage which today seems like a piece of ancient fiction when compared to the fiasco that's become Britain's passenger rail network. Rather than taking wrecking balls to some of these outdated structures and building efficient, elegant terminals to cater to commuters and visitors, traditionalists want to stifle development by holding onto facades, layouts and features that do little to ease the transport pains experienced by hundreds of thousands daily.
Britain is not the only country guilty of falling behind in updating its rail hubs. In northern Europe, Helsinki, Copenhagen and Stockholm could all do with commissioning some the best local architectural talent and making more of their city center stations. Stockholm Central Station feels worn out and tired. Copenhagen Central Station could do with either upping the voltage of its lighting grid or letting in a bit more sun by day. In France, Paris's main stations are a letdown for the rolling stock that has become a symbol for savvy investment in infrastructure.
While I'm all for preserving buildings that were once temples to Europe's modern transport networks, I'm also for creating transport terminals that get more people out of the air and onto rails.
As models go, Japan's entire rail infrastructure is pretty hard to top - in part because it was built as a total consumer experience with rail/retail groups like Hankyu, Seibu and Tobu becoming powerful super-regional brands. Japan's main train stations are spotless, highly efficient and cater to a commuter's every desire - and more. On my frequent trips to Tokyo, I'm more likely to show up at a rail station earlier than I would for the airport because the range of retail offers is so broad and diverse.
In Europe, the architecture and development efforts of Deutsche Bahn and Switzerland's SBB are the most admirable after Japan. Berlin's new-ish main station is the closest a European operator has come to offering a fully integrated hub modeled along Japanese lines. When Chancellor Angela Merkel opened the von Gerkan Marg und Partner-designed station last year, it was the perfect symbol for a nation about to host the World Cup. While the city still needs to grow into the station due to its somewhat remote location, it stands as an example of what a Copenhagen or London could also do. In Zurich, the ongoing development in and around the Hauptbahnhof is one of the most impressive pieces of urban development in Europe at the moment and one of the key features of Zurich's mission to stay on top of the world's liveability charts.
Back in my neighborhood I'm still redesigning my little red brick station. Every time I pop in for magazines or bottles of wine for late-night work shifts, I'm thinking about ways to improve the experience. To keep more conservative Londoners happy - and there are plenty - I'd maintain the facade but inside I'd start again. Out would go the rag-tag array of retail that interrupts the space and in would come deeper tracks with taxi ranks built underneath, a multilevel retail area, an outstanding fitness facility, the best newsstand in London, offices and a well-priced, neatly designed hotel to compete with the over-priced one that's currently bolted onto the front. The only thing that's missing from my blueprints is an efficient rail system to support it.
Tyler Brûlé is the editor in chief of Monocle magazine. He lives in Switzerland, Sweden and Britain. He can be reached at tb@monocle.com.
========================
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/05/04/arts/tyler5.php
Tyler Brûlé: Dreaming of stations that entice commuters
By Tyler Brûlé Published: May 4, 2007
I have designs on my local train station in London. In fact, I have designs on most major rail hubs across Europe and North America - with the possible exception of select stations in Switzerland and Germany. A little over year ago, I moved offices to a quiet side street near Marylebone Station in north London. Originally designed to be a model terminal for Britain's passenger rail services, the rather grand hotel that fronts the station used to be the headquarters for British Rail. In its day I can imagine that the ornate HQ (now part of the Landmark hotel group) and station were the envy of rail companies around the world. No doubt British rail bosses used to walk visitors straight from meetings, out the back doors, under the covered walkway and straight to the platform. The whole experience must have been one of the earliest examples of painless, seamless travel.
Today the station is an interchange for trains that lazily roll in from counties north of London, the Underground, buses and local residents and businesses. In many ways, it's one of the few London train stations that defines and supports an entire neighborhood. While a recent renovation has done much to lift the entire operation (new skylights, better retail), it could have been a fresh model for rail stations across Europe and North America.
A little to the east, St. Pancras Station is going through the finishing touches before it becomes the new hub for Eurostar and next door King's Cross is about to undergo a much needed overhaul. Plans are also under way to give some necessary attention to Euston and Paddington stations. The problem with most of the developments is that they seem to be clinging onto a glorious railway heritage which today seems like a piece of ancient fiction when compared to the fiasco that's become Britain's passenger rail network. Rather than taking wrecking balls to some of these outdated structures and building efficient, elegant terminals to cater to commuters and visitors, traditionalists want to stifle development by holding onto facades, layouts and features that do little to ease the transport pains experienced by hundreds of thousands daily.
Britain is not the only country guilty of falling behind in updating its rail hubs. In northern Europe, Helsinki, Copenhagen and Stockholm could all do with commissioning some the best local architectural talent and making more of their city center stations. Stockholm Central Station feels worn out and tired. Copenhagen Central Station could do with either upping the voltage of its lighting grid or letting in a bit more sun by day. In France, Paris's main stations are a letdown for the rolling stock that has become a symbol for savvy investment in infrastructure.
While I'm all for preserving buildings that were once temples to Europe's modern transport networks, I'm also for creating transport terminals that get more people out of the air and onto rails.
As models go, Japan's entire rail infrastructure is pretty hard to top - in part because it was built as a total consumer experience with rail/retail groups like Hankyu, Seibu and Tobu becoming powerful super-regional brands. Japan's main train stations are spotless, highly efficient and cater to a commuter's every desire - and more. On my frequent trips to Tokyo, I'm more likely to show up at a rail station earlier than I would for the airport because the range of retail offers is so broad and diverse.
In Europe, the architecture and development efforts of Deutsche Bahn and Switzerland's SBB are the most admirable after Japan. Berlin's new-ish main station is the closest a European operator has come to offering a fully integrated hub modeled along Japanese lines. When Chancellor Angela Merkel opened the von Gerkan Marg und Partner-designed station last year, it was the perfect symbol for a nation about to host the World Cup. While the city still needs to grow into the station due to its somewhat remote location, it stands as an example of what a Copenhagen or London could also do. In Zurich, the ongoing development in and around the Hauptbahnhof is one of the most impressive pieces of urban development in Europe at the moment and one of the key features of Zurich's mission to stay on top of the world's liveability charts.
Back in my neighborhood I'm still redesigning my little red brick station. Every time I pop in for magazines or bottles of wine for late-night work shifts, I'm thinking about ways to improve the experience. To keep more conservative Londoners happy - and there are plenty - I'd maintain the facade but inside I'd start again. Out would go the rag-tag array of retail that interrupts the space and in would come deeper tracks with taxi ranks built underneath, a multilevel retail area, an outstanding fitness facility, the best newsstand in London, offices and a well-priced, neatly designed hotel to compete with the over-priced one that's currently bolted onto the front. The only thing that's missing from my blueprints is an efficient rail system to support it.
Tyler Brûlé is the editor in chief of Monocle magazine. He lives in Switzerland, Sweden and Britain. He can be reached at tb@monocle.com.
Did he really need to put the word 'frequent' before the words 'trips to Tokyo'?
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RJR123
Active Member
Typical Tyler crap. He loathes Canada, by the way, especially Toronto. I guess we're not up to his global standards.
Pep'rJack
Active Member
That's enough, Tyler Brûlé. Why don't you go outside and play for a while? Daddy's tired...
ShonTron
Moderator
Member Bio
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2007
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- 12,468
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- 9,275
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- Ward 13 - Toronto Centre
Let's change the subject a bit. I want to ask you what your favourite six stations are.
My six favourites that I have been to are:
London St. Pancras
NY Grand Central
LA Union
London Liverpool Street
Montreal Central (I love the freizes, the hall, the good food court, but not the dank platforms)
Toronto Union (needs a lot of TLC, though and the GO section blows - it still has an amazing great hall)
Honourable mentions:
Hamilton TH&B (GO Centre)
Coulda been a contenda:
Buffalo NY Central (lovely building, such a shame, but at least it's now in good hands)
Worst:
NY Penn Station (took a NJ Transit train to Newark from here)
Ottawa (so much in that it's a bit ugly and in the middle of nowhere, and my attempts to get to Downtown or west using the Transhitway were never fond memories)
My six favourites that I have been to are:
London St. Pancras
NY Grand Central
LA Union
London Liverpool Street
Montreal Central (I love the freizes, the hall, the good food court, but not the dank platforms)
Toronto Union (needs a lot of TLC, though and the GO section blows - it still has an amazing great hall)
Honourable mentions:
Hamilton TH&B (GO Centre)
Coulda been a contenda:
Buffalo NY Central (lovely building, such a shame, but at least it's now in good hands)
Worst:
NY Penn Station (took a NJ Transit train to Newark from here)
Ottawa (so much in that it's a bit ugly and in the middle of nowhere, and my attempts to get to Downtown or west using the Transhitway were never fond memories)
AnarchoSocialist
Active Member
Here is my list. I will point out these are my favorite stations not because they are the best looking in some cases, but rather the ones I found to be the most interesting. They are in no particular order.
1. Warsaw Central - It is rundown, ugly, and the semi open nature of it allowed pigeons to freely rome around the inside concourse and waiting area. I cannot think of a station though that has had more character and been more interesting too wait in.
2. Amsterdam Centraal - You never forget your first European train station. My fascination with all things Dutch is obviously another reason why I like this station.
3. Moscow (Any Station) - I was usually just happy if I was at the right station. They were all an experience unto themselves and places I don't think you would find anywhere else.
4. Quebec - The interior of this station is really quite beautiful. The platforms are nothing great (nothing out of the ordinary with VIA) but I will never get tired of arriving or departing from this station.
5. Frankfurt Main - This is a great station for just watching all the wonderful German trains come and go. And it is incredibley busy which makes for really interesting people watching.
6. Berlin Lehter Banhof - I have never been through this station or seen it in person. But from what I can tell this looks like one incredible station which I know I will waste a great deal of time simply wandering in wonderment.
Runners Up
1. Ottawa - Yes, it is out in the middle of nowhere. But, I really like this station. The natural light pouring into it and the relaxed atmosphere make waiting relaxing.
2. Vienna Westbanhof - I really liked this station for some reason. Modern, easy to navigate, a relaxing wait. Nothing special, but it was functional.
Worst Station
Prague Holesovice - I cannot think of anything good about this station. It was sort of busy, but lacked any interesting characters moving about. Dirty. Dank. An unfortunate way to leave such a great city.
1. Warsaw Central - It is rundown, ugly, and the semi open nature of it allowed pigeons to freely rome around the inside concourse and waiting area. I cannot think of a station though that has had more character and been more interesting too wait in.
2. Amsterdam Centraal - You never forget your first European train station. My fascination with all things Dutch is obviously another reason why I like this station.
3. Moscow (Any Station) - I was usually just happy if I was at the right station. They were all an experience unto themselves and places I don't think you would find anywhere else.
4. Quebec - The interior of this station is really quite beautiful. The platforms are nothing great (nothing out of the ordinary with VIA) but I will never get tired of arriving or departing from this station.
5. Frankfurt Main - This is a great station for just watching all the wonderful German trains come and go. And it is incredibley busy which makes for really interesting people watching.
6. Berlin Lehter Banhof - I have never been through this station or seen it in person. But from what I can tell this looks like one incredible station which I know I will waste a great deal of time simply wandering in wonderment.
Runners Up
1. Ottawa - Yes, it is out in the middle of nowhere. But, I really like this station. The natural light pouring into it and the relaxed atmosphere make waiting relaxing.
2. Vienna Westbanhof - I really liked this station for some reason. Modern, easy to navigate, a relaxing wait. Nothing special, but it was functional.
Worst Station
Prague Holesovice - I cannot think of anything good about this station. It was sort of busy, but lacked any interesting characters moving about. Dirty. Dank. An unfortunate way to leave such a great city.
adma
Superstar
Well, it's got a real 70s Soviet Bloc Futurist aura
..sort of the spiritual missing link btw/Ottawa Station and Berlin's Palast der Republik. And more soulful than either...
AnarchoSocialist
Active Member
Even though your picture is not being displayed I can still say it does do not fully convey how ugly the station actually is. The soul of the station is not in the architecture (which in person exudes no positive qualities, even in a kitschy Soviet bloc kind of way), but from the people in the city moving through it.
adma
Superstar
I still disagree, though it may be in part sentiment, as I was on a family trip to Warsaw back when it was brand new and lighter-than-air in '76. But I do find something about that 70s Corbu-Constructivism that's now less "ugly" than wistful--maybe the most perfect Ostalgie architectural item that Warsaw has (Stalinism a la the Palace of Culture + Science doesn't quite count).
Of course, like so much built in post-Stalin Soviet Poland, it comes across a little tinny and high-strung (and, today, clapped-out). But even that ain't half-bad--maybe, AnarchoSocialist, you need a little more "Socialist" in you to grasp it all. (Then again, misty eyes about this kind of architecture is akin to, in the capitalist world, misty eyes about the WTC, at least among NYC arts types--and there's another place that was long considered irredeemably ugly. Now, what's most irredeemably ugly is what it begat in its homeland.)
Methinks if Warsaw Central's ever slated for redevelopment, there might be a bit of a rally on its behalf. Really.
A good blog for architectural Ostalgists...
Of course, like so much built in post-Stalin Soviet Poland, it comes across a little tinny and high-strung (and, today, clapped-out). But even that ain't half-bad--maybe, AnarchoSocialist, you need a little more "Socialist" in you to grasp it all. (Then again, misty eyes about this kind of architecture is akin to, in the capitalist world, misty eyes about the WTC, at least among NYC arts types--and there's another place that was long considered irredeemably ugly. Now, what's most irredeemably ugly is what it begat in its homeland.)
Methinks if Warsaw Central's ever slated for redevelopment, there might be a bit of a rally on its behalf. Really.
A good blog for architectural Ostalgists...
AnarchoSocialist
Active Member
I understand what you are saying and I am usually quite sympathetic towards socialist architecture. It is easy to see how someone would like this building and I can imagine when it was new and shiny it probably looked quite wonderful.
Unfortunately though it is cheap, flimsy, and has not aged very well with time. Try as I did to simply enjoy the charm that once was and the visions of what the station was meant to be, as it stands, its a worn out and used monument to a time that has since passed. And as a functional building serving commuters and long distance travellers, it does the job, but barely, and heavier use of the station would start to make it feel crowded and a little uncomfortable. Too each their own though and perhaps had I not been a little more chipper and energetic that day I may have seen and experienced it differently.
I would not be surprised either if an effort was made to save and renovate it. I can also see how when it comes time to modernize the station and the rail service in the city, tearing it down would be fully justified too. That will be for the people of Warsaw to decide though and I am sure whatever they do will most likely be what is in the best interest of their city based on the rather difficult times they have gone through during most of the 20th century. Growing up in Canada, I cannot imagine the kinds of choices they have to make between modernizing their city, protecting the past, and perhaps intentionally wiping out some of the past too.
Unfortunately though it is cheap, flimsy, and has not aged very well with time. Try as I did to simply enjoy the charm that once was and the visions of what the station was meant to be, as it stands, its a worn out and used monument to a time that has since passed. And as a functional building serving commuters and long distance travellers, it does the job, but barely, and heavier use of the station would start to make it feel crowded and a little uncomfortable. Too each their own though and perhaps had I not been a little more chipper and energetic that day I may have seen and experienced it differently.
I would not be surprised either if an effort was made to save and renovate it. I can also see how when it comes time to modernize the station and the rail service in the city, tearing it down would be fully justified too. That will be for the people of Warsaw to decide though and I am sure whatever they do will most likely be what is in the best interest of their city based on the rather difficult times they have gone through during most of the 20th century. Growing up in Canada, I cannot imagine the kinds of choices they have to make between modernizing their city, protecting the past, and perhaps intentionally wiping out some of the past too.
simply Dan
Active Member
Completely agree. I was expecting something beautiful and impressive in Prague - and it was the most dissapointing sight for me from the entire city.
AnarchoSocialist
Active Member
^ It was made even more dissapointing by the fact that I arrived via Prague Hlavni Nadrazi which is a quite a nice station with a large, glass train shed and a very functional, modernized interior.