New York Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, in partnership with NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak, approved a contract for the redesign of Penn Station to a joint venture led by FXCollaborative Architects LLC and WSP USA Inc., with the acclaimed British architect John McAslan + Partners as collaborating architect. McAslan + Partners designed the 2012 transformation of London’s historic King’s Cross Station, creating a 165-yard-long semi-circular departures concourse that integrates regional and intercity railroads with each other and with the London Underground while welcoming natural light from the sky through 1,000 glazed and translucent triangular roof panels.

The FXCollaborative and WSP joint venture developed the Penn Station Master Plan unveiled last year that evaluated alternatives and created the preferred redesign plan for Penn Station as a single-level facility centered around a grand train hall with a 450-foot long sky-lit atrium between Madison Square Garden and 2 Penn Plaza. The design called for by the MTA’s contract will advance that preferred alternative and will:

• Relieve overcrowding and improve passenger flow and orientation
• Improve safety by increasing platform and station egress and accessibility
• Alleviate the cramped, disjointed circulation areas with widened concourses and high ceilings
• Create a clear street presence that integrates with the surroundings
• Optimize retail and other revenue generation
• Integrate Penn Station with Moynihan Train Hall and the planned Penn Station Expansion

-via Press Release