There are few commuters, residents and tourists who have visited New York City and never included Pennsylvania Station in their travel plans. The city’s Penn Station opened in 1910 as a Beaux-Arts masterpiece designed by McKim, Mead & White, modeled after the Roman Baths of Caracalla from the third century A.D. Of course, there was no resemblance.

Originally completed in 1910, the aboveground portions of the building were demolished between 1963 and 1966, and the underground concourses and platforms were heavily renovated to form the current Pennsylvania Station within the same footprint. Over the decades, at least a dozen serious proposals for a full rebuild were introduced, but all collapsed due to political and economic hangups.

© Bernie Berns

Recently, however, Penn Transformation Partners, a joint venture led by Halmar and Skanska, has been appointed Master Developer for the newest redevelopment of Pennsylvania Railroad Station. Recently, a pre-development agreement with Amtrak, Penn Station’s owner, enabled the parties to agree on a 2027 start of on-site development.

Halmar is honored for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to redesign the busiest train station in the Western Hemisphere as a world-class transportation hub, delivering a significantly enhanced experience for travelers and visitors. Central to the transformation is a grand, new Eighth Avenue entrance leading into a contemporary train hall, supported by an expansive, light-filled concourse that will replace the existing, cramped passageways. Improvements will also include expanded track capacity, enhanced operational train performance, upgraded signage, and world-class retail and passenger amenities. Madison Square Garden will remain in its current location adjacent to the station, with upgrades to its exterior.

“Halmar is proud to be a partner with Skanska on a historic project that reimagines New York Penn Station,” said Chris Larsen, CEO, Halmar. “With our development and design team members, we will truly transform Penn Station into an iconic building all New York residents and visitors will be proud of and create a functioning station that will enhance their experience. We know we have the right team, and look forward to working with our partners in Labor. Thanks to new funding from Washington, along with the U.S. Department of Transportation USDOT and Amtrak, a new station is finally on its way.”

Construction will take place through a joint venture between Halmar International and Skanska USA Civil Northeast. Together, they will work closely with Amtrak and key stakeholders to deliver a modern, world-class station.

The project will generate significant economic activity and job creation, supporting the regional workforce and advancing long-term transportation resilience. As Penn Station sits at the heart of the Northeast Corridor and plays a vital role in regional and national mobility, the transformation will enable increased passenger volumes, improve operational efficiency and create a welcoming civic landmark reflecting New York City’s global stature.