Editing Grand Central Terminal (section)

== History ==
{{main|History of Grand Central Terminal}}
{{For timeline}}
Three buildings serving essentially the same function have stood on the current Grand Central Terminal's site.<ref name="nyt19980621" />

=== Predecessors ===
[[File:Grand Central Depot (NYPL b13476047-421000).jpg|thumb|alt=An ornate railroad terminal|Grand Central Depot]]
Grand Central Terminal arose from a need to build a central station for the [[New York Central and Hudson River Railroad|Hudson River Railroad]], the [[New York and Harlem Railroad]], and the [[New York and New Haven Railroad]] in modern-day Midtown Manhattan.<ref name="nyt19980621" /><ref>{{harvnb|ps=.|Fitch|Waite|1974|p=2}}</ref><ref name="Langmead p. 167" /> The Harlem Railroad originally ran as a steam railroad on street level along Fourth Avenue (now [[Park Avenue]]),<ref name="Schlichting pp. 8-9" /><ref name="Fitch Waite p. 3" /><ref name="NYCL p. 2" /><ref name="Langmead p. 168" /> while the New Haven Railroad ran along the Harlem's tracks in Manhattan per a trackage agreement.<ref name="Schlichting pp. 8-9" /><ref name="Fitch Waite p. 3" /><ref name="NYCL p. 2" /> The business magnate [[Cornelius Vanderbilt]] bought the Hudson River and New York Central Railroads in 1867, and merged them two years later.<ref name="NYCL p. 2" /><ref name="Langmead p. 168" /><ref>{{cite book|title=Mid-Harlem Line Third Track Project, Section 4(f) Report: Environmental Impact Statement|publisher=US Department of Transportation and Metro-North Commuter Railroad Company|issue=v. 1|page=8.5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qh03AQAAMAAJ&pg=SA8-PA5|year=2000|access-date=December 6, 2018|archive-date=January 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124055232/https://books.google.com/books?id=qh03AQAAMAAJ&pg=SA8-PA5#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> Vanderbilt developed a proposal to unite the three separate railroads at a single central station, replacing the separate and adjacent stations that created chaos in baggage transfer.<ref name="nyt19980621" />

Vanderbilt commissioned [[John B. Snook]] to design his new station, dubbed Grand Central Depot, on the site of the 42nd Street depot.<ref>{{cite aia5|page=313}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|ps=.|Belle|Leighton|2000|p=34}}</ref>  Construction ran from September 1, 1869, to October 1871.<ref name="Fitch Waite p. 3" /> Designed in the [[Second Empire architecture|Second Empire]] style,<ref name="Fitch Waite p. 3" /><ref name="Langmead p. 169" /> the station was considered the country's first to measure up to those in Europe.<ref name="Meeks">{{cite book |last=Meeks |first=Carroll L. V. |url=https://archive.org/details/railroadstation00meek |title=The Railroad Station: An Architectural History |date=1956 |publisher=Yale University Press |page=[https://archive.org/details/railroadstation00meek/page/49 49] |url-access=registration}}</ref>

[[File:Grand Central Station, New York c. 1902.jpg|left|thumb|alt=Postcard of Grand Central Station, c. 1902|Grand Central Station, {{circa|1902}}]]

Expansions in 1895 and 1900—the latter coinciding with a renaming to Grand Central Station<ref name="Roberts2013" />—could not keep up with the growth in passenger traffic,<ref name="Schlichting p. 50" /><ref>{{harvnb|ps=.|Robins|New York Transit Museum|2013|p=87}}</ref> nor could they alleviate the problems of smoke and soot produced by [[steam locomotive]]s in the Park Avenue Tunnel, the only approach to the station.<ref name="Fitch Waite p. 4" /> After a deadly 1902 crash in the smoky tunnel,<ref name="Langmead p. 170" /><ref name="NYCL p. 4" /><ref name="Schlichting pp. 55-56" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/primary-resources/grandcentral-parkave/|title=WGBH American Experience . Grand Central|publisher=PBS|date=January 8, 1902|access-date=November 8, 2015|archive-date=October 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151023113600/http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/primary-resources/grandcentral-parkave/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1902/01/09/archives/fifteen-killed-in-rear-end-collision-trains-crash-in-darkness-of.html|title=Fifteen Killed in Rear End Collision; Trains Crash in Darkness of Park Avenue Tunnel|date=January 9, 1902|website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331|access-date=December 10, 2018|archive-date=December 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210202815/https://www.nytimes.com/1902/01/09/archives/fifteen-killed-in-rear-end-collision-trains-crash-in-darkness-of.html|url-status=live}}</ref> the New York state legislature enacted a ban on steam trains in Manhattan, to begin in 1908.<ref name="Bilotto pp. 8-9" /> [[William J. Wilgus]], the New York Central's vice president, proposed to tear down Grand Central Station and build a new, larger station with two levels of tracks, all electrified and underground.<ref name="Roberts" /><ref name="Roberts p. 72" /><ref name="Fitch Waite p. 4" /><ref name="Langmead p. 170" /><ref name="NYCL p. 4" /><ref name="Schlichting pp. 60-62" /> The railroad's board of directors approved the $35 million project in June 1903.<ref name="NYCL p. 4" /><ref name="Schlichting pp. 60-62" />

=== Replacement ===
[[File:Grand Central plan, 1905.jpg|thumb|alt=Sketch of a large Beaux-Arts building|Proposal of the associated architects of Grand Central during its construction, 1905]]
The new Grand Central Terminal was to be the biggest terminal in the world, both in the size of the building and in the number of tracks.<ref name="Roberts2013" /><ref name="Roberts" />{{Refn|The projects included:<ref>{{harvnb|ps=.|Schlichting|2001|pp=64–65}}</ref>
# excavation of Grand Central Yard
# construction of Grand Central's station building
# electrification of the Harlem, Hudson, and New Haven divisions
# lowering the [[Port Morris Branch]] tracks in the Bronx
# building tunnels along the Hudson Division around the [[Harlem River Ship Canal]] in [[Marble Hill, Manhattan]] (ultimately never built, as the Harlem River Ship Canal was relocated)
# eliminating grade crossings
# adding tracks on the Harlem and New Haven divisions|group=N}} It was meant to compete with [[Pennsylvania Station (1910–1963)|Pennsylvania Station]], a majestic electric-train hub being built on Manhattan's west side for arch-rival [[Pennsylvania Railroad]] by [[McKim, Mead & White]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/penn/|title=The Rise and Fall of Penn Station – American Experience|last=McLowery|first=Randall|date=February 18, 2014|publisher=PBS|access-date=December 10, 2018|archive-date=May 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505231352/https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/penn/|url-status=live}}</ref> New York Central picked the firm of [[Reed and Stem]] to handle the overall design of the station, and [[Warren and Wetmore]] for the station's [[Beaux-Arts architecture|Beaux-Arts]] exterior.<ref name="Langmead p. 171" /><ref name="Schlichting pp. 121-122" /><ref name="Interior6" />

[[File:Grand Central construction.jpg|thumb|alt=A large excavated area beside the station while under construction|Terminal and baggage building construction {{circa|1912}}]]
Construction on Grand Central Terminal started on June 19, 1903.<ref name="NYCL p. 5" /> and proceeded in phases to prevent railroad service from being interrupted.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1908/08/16/archives/constructing-a-great-modern-railway-terminal-one-of-the-most.html|title=Constructing A Great Modern Railway Terminal – One of the Most Puzzling of Modem Engineering Problems Is Involved in the Building, Without Interruption to Traffic, of New York's Grand Central Station|date=August 16, 1908|work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331|access-date=December 13, 2018|archive-date=December 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215233400/https://www.nytimes.com/1908/08/16/archives/constructing-a-great-modern-railway-terminal-one-of-the-most.html|url-status=live}}</ref> About {{convert|3.2|e6yd3|m3}} of the ground were excavated at depths of up to 10 floors, with {{convert|1,000|yd3|m3}} of debris being removed from the site daily. Over 10,000 workers were assigned to the project.<ref name="ASCE Metropolitan Section 1902" /><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1909/09/12/archives/the-new-terminal-of-the-grand-central.html|title=The New Terminal of the 'Grand Central'|date=September 12, 1909|website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331|access-date=December 14, 2018|archive-date=December 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215022231/https://www.nytimes.com/1909/09/12/archives/the-new-terminal-of-the-grand-central.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NYCL p. 7" /> The total cost of improvements, including electrification and the development of Park Avenue, was estimated at $180 million in 1910.<ref name="nyt19100626" /> The segments of all three lines running into Grand Central had been electrified by 1907.<ref name="NYCL p. 7" /> The last train left Grand Central Station at midnight on June 5, 1910,<ref name="Schlichting pp. 106-107" /> and the new terminal opened on February 2, 1913.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Railway Age|page=78|title=Grand Central Terminal opens|date=September 2006|issn=0033-8826}}</ref><ref name="nyt19130202-2" />

=== Heyday ===
The terminal spurred development in the surrounding area, particularly in Terminal City, a commercial and office district created above where the tracks were covered.<ref name="nyt19300914" /><ref name="PS1931" /><ref name="Gray 2010" /> The development of Terminal City also included the construction of the [[Park Avenue Viaduct]], surrounding the station, in the 1920s.<ref>{{harvnb|ps=.|Langmead|2009|p=172}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Link Up Park Av. to Ease Congestion  |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1919/04/17/archives/link-up-park-av-to-ease-congestion-civic-bodies-celebrate-opening.html |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=April 17, 1919 |access-date=December 7, 2018 |archive-date=August 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818094806/https://www.nytimes.com/1919/04/17/archives/link-up-park-av-to-ease-congestion-civic-bodies-celebrate-opening.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1928/09/02/105202500.pdf|title=New Viaduct Thoroughfare Relieves Park Avenue Traffic Congestion; Result of Many Years' Work|date=September 2, 1928|newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331|page=Real Estate, Page 123|access-date=December 7, 2018|archive-date=April 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424164515/http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1928/09/02/105202500.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false|url-status=live}}</ref> The new electric service led to increased development in New York City's suburbs, and passenger traffic on the commuter lines into Grand Central more than doubled in the seven years following the terminal's completion.<ref>{{harvnb|ps=.|Schlichting|2001|pp=188}}</ref> Passenger traffic grew so rapidly that by 1918, New York Central proposed expanding Grand Central Terminal.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/26368762/|title=N.Y. Central Plans Broad Expansion|date=May 24, 1918|work=Buffalo Commercial|access-date=December 19, 2018|page=9|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=January 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124055235/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-buffalo-commercial-ny-central-plan/26368762/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1923, the [[Grand Central Art Galleries]] opened in the terminal. A year after it opened, the galleries established the [[Grand Central School of Art]], which occupied {{convert|7000|sqft|m2}} on the seventh floor of the east wing of the terminal.<ref>{{cite news|title=New Art School Opens: Reception Held in Studios Over the Grand Central|newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1924/10/02/archives/gains-in-business-send-stocks-up-steel-and-car-orders-and-freight.html|date=October 2, 1924|page=27|access-date=March 3, 2010|archive-date=July 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703021855/https://www.nytimes.com/1924/10/02/archives/gains-in-business-send-stocks-up-steel-and-car-orders-and-freight.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Terminal Fire Not in Art School|newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1929/09/06/archives/terminal-fire-not-in-art-school.html|date=September 6, 1929|page=9|access-date=March 3, 2010|archive-date=March 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317050231/https://www.nytimes.com/1929/09/06/archives/terminal-fire-not-in-art-school.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Grand Central School of Art remained in the east wing until 1944,<ref>{{cite news|title=New Art School Opens: Reception Held in Studios Over the Grand Central|newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1924/10/02/archives/gains-in-business-send-stocks-up-steel-and-car-orders-and-freight.html|date=October 2, 1924|access-date=July 30, 2011|archive-date=July 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703021855/https://www.nytimes.com/1924/10/02/archives/gains-in-business-send-stocks-up-steel-and-car-orders-and-freight.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and it moved to the [[New York Biltmore Hotel|Biltmore Hotel]] in 1958.<ref>{{cite news | title=Galleries to End 36 Years in Depot; Grand Central Art Group to Move to Biltmore Hotel in March – Fete Held | website=The New York Times | issn=0362-4331 | date=October 31, 1958 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1958/10/31/archives/galleries-to-end-36-years-in-depot-grand-central-art-group-to-move.html | access-date=January 14, 2019 | archive-date=January 15, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190115024659/https://www.nytimes.com/1958/10/31/archives/galleries-to-end-36-years-in-depot-grand-central-art-group-to-move.html | url-status=live }}</ref>{{refn|group=N|They remained at the Biltmore for 23 years until 1981, and then moved to 24 West 57th Street, and ceased operations by 1994.<ref>{{cite web|title=A Finding Aid to the Grand Central Art Galleries records, 1931–1968, bulk circa 1952-circa 1965|website=Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution|url=https://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/grand-central-art-galleries-records-8254|date=November 14, 2018|access-date=December 7, 2018|archive-date=December 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209125927/https://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/grand-central-art-galleries-records-8254|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

=== Decline ===
[[File:Grand Central Terminal MetLife Building Park Ave viaduct Summer Streets.jpg|thumb|upright|left|alt=The MetLife Building, towering above Grand Central|The [[MetLife Building]] was completed in 1963 above part of Grand Central Terminal.]]
In 1947, over 65 million people traveled through Grand Central, an all-time high.<ref name="ASCE Metropolitan Section 1902" /> The station's decline came soon afterward with the beginning of the [[Jet Age]] and the construction of the [[Interstate Highway System]]. There were multiple proposals to alter the terminal, including several replacing the station building with a skyscraper; none of the plans were carried out.<ref>{{harvnb|ps=.|Langmead|2009|p=177}}</ref> Though the main building site was not redeveloped, the Pan Am Building (now the [[MetLife Building]]) was erected just to the north, opening in 1963.<ref>{{cite news | title=Pan Am Building Dedicated in N.Y. – 100 Million Structure, 59 Stories Tall, City's Biggest Other Speakers at Event | website=The New York Times | issn=0362-4331 | date=March 8, 1963 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1963/03/08/archives/pan-am-building-dedicated-in-ny-100-million-structure-59-stories.html | access-date=December 24, 2018 | archive-date=December 25, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225035334/https://www.nytimes.com/1963/03/08/archives/pan-am-building-dedicated-in-ny-100-million-structure-59-stories.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1968, New York Central, facing bankruptcy, merged with the Pennsylvania Railroad to form the [[Penn Central]] Railroad. The new corporation proposed to demolish Grand Central Terminal and replace it with a skyscraper, as the Pennsylvania Railroad had done with the original Penn Station in 1963.<ref>{{cite news | last=Fowler | first=Glenn | title=Breuer to Design Terminal Tower – Engaged by Briton for a 2d Project Over Grand Central | website=The New York Times | issn=0362-4331 | date=February 24, 1968 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1968/02/24/archives/breuer-to-design-terminal-tower-engaged-by-briton-for-a-2d-project.html | access-date=December 24, 2018 | archive-date=December 25, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225031215/https://www.nytimes.com/1968/02/24/archives/breuer-to-design-terminal-tower-engaged-by-briton-for-a-2d-project.html | url-status=live }}</ref> However, the [[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]], which had designated Grand Central a city landmark in 1967, refused to consider the plans.<ref>{{cite news | last=Shipler | first=David K. | title=Landmarks Panel Bars Office Tower Over Grand Central; Landmarks Panel Bars Tower on Grand Central | website=The New York Times | issn=0362-4331 | date=August 27, 1969 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1969/08/27/archives/landmarks-panel-bars-office-tower-over-grand-central-landmarks.html | access-date=December 24, 2018 | archive-date=December 25, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225035326/https://www.nytimes.com/1969/08/27/archives/landmarks-panel-bars-office-tower-over-grand-central-landmarks.html | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[[Penn Central Transportation Co. v. City of New York]], 438 U.S. 104 (1978)</ref> The [[Penn Central Transportation Co. v. New York City|resulting lawsuit]] went to the [[Supreme Court of the United States]], which ruled in favor of the city.<ref>{{cite court|litigants=Penn Central Transp. Co. v. New York City|court=U.S.|reporter=U.S.|vol=438|opinion=104|pinpoint=135|year=1978|url=https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/438/104/|access-date=December 8, 2018}}</ref> After Penn Central went into bankruptcy in 1970, it retained title to Grand Central Terminal.<ref name="MTA-CPOC-Nov2018" /> When Penn Central reorganized as [[American Premier Underwriters]] (APU) in 1994, it retained ownership of Penn Central. In turn, APU was absorbed by [[American Financial Group]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/12/13/business/company-news-insurance-unit-to-buy-its-parent-in-stock-merger.html|title=Company News; Insurance Unit to Buy Its Parent in Stock Merger|date=December 13, 1994|agency=Reuters|work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331|access-date=December 19, 2018|archive-date=December 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219134300/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/12/13/business/company-news-insurance-unit-to-buy-its-parent-in-stock-merger.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Historical Photos of Grand Central Terminal (52664179665).jpg|thumb|alt=A 1986 image of the Main Concourse with large and bright advertisements throughout|The Main Concourse in 1986, featuring the [[Kodak]] [[Colorama (Kodak)|Colorama]], the illuminated clock, and two banks]]

Grand Central and the surrounding neighborhood became dilapidated during the 1970s, and the interior of Grand Central was dominated by huge advertisements, which included the [[Kodak]] [[Colorama (Kodak)|Colorama]] photos and the [[Westclox]] "Big Ben" clock.<ref name="nyt20081120" /> In 1975, [[Donald Trump]] bought the [[Grand Hyatt New York|Commodore Hotel]] to the east of the terminal for $10 million and then worked out a deal with [[Jay Pritzker]] to transform it into one of the first [[Hyatt|Grand Hyatt]] hotels.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Masello|first1=Robert|title=The Trump Card|url=http://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/money-and-power/a3478/the-trump-card/|website=Town & Country|date=August 3, 2015|access-date=February 17, 2016|archive-date=March 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309052531/http://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/money-and-power/a3478/the-trump-card/|url-status=live}}</ref> Grand Central Terminal was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1975 and declared a [[National Historic Landmark]] in the following year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/d3380180-7c4e-4d8a-92ba-c0060347e915|title=Grand Central Station|date=September 11, 2007|work=National Historic Landmark summary listing|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=December 9, 2018|archive-date=December 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210141117/https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/d3380180-7c4e-4d8a-92ba-c0060347e915|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NHLS/75001206_text|title="Grand Central Station" August 11, 1976, by Carolyn Pitts|format=PDF|work=National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination|date=August 11, 1976|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=December 21, 2018|archive-date=August 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803034847/https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NHLS/75001206_text|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NHLS/75001206_photos|title=Grand Central Station—Accompanying 11 photos, exterior and interior, from 1983 and undated.|work=National Register of Historic Places Inventory|format=PDF|year=1983|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=December 21, 2018|archive-date=April 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422174748/https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NHLS/75001206_photos|url-status=live}}</ref> This period was marked by a bombing on September 10, 1976, when a group of [[Croats|Croatian]] nationalists planted a bomb in a coin locker at Grand Central Terminal and [[TWA Flight 355|hijacked a plane]]; the bomb exploded while being disarmed and injured three [[NYPD]] officers and killed one bomb squad specialist.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Skyjackings: Bombs for Croatia|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|url=https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,946611-1,00.html|date=September 20, 1976|access-date=January 29, 2023|archive-date=January 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129152652/https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,946611-1,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Zvonko Busic, 67, Croatian Hijacker, Dies|website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331|date=September 6, 2013|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/06/world/europe/zvonko-busic-67-croatian-hijacker-dies.html|access-date=March 24, 2019|archive-date=October 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002182634/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/06/world/europe/zvonko-busic-67-croatian-hijacker-dies.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The terminal was used for [[Inter-city rail|intercity transit]] until 1991. Amtrak, the national rail system formed in 1971, ran its last train from Grand Central on April 6, 1991, upon the completion of the [[Empire Connection]] on Manhattan's West Side. The connection allowed trains using the [[Empire Corridor]] from [[Albany, New York|Albany]], [[Toronto]], and [[Montreal]] to use Penn Station.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/08/nyregion/riding-the-past-from-grand-central.html|title=Riding the Past From Grand Central|last=Barron|first=James|date=April 8, 1991|website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331|access-date=December 11, 2018|archive-date=September 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200902012856/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/08/nyregion/riding-the-past-from-grand-central.html|url-status=live}}</ref> However, some Amtrak trains used Grand Central during the summers of 2017 and 2018 due to maintenance at Penn Station.<ref>{{cite web|title=6 Amtrak trains to use Grand Central Terminal this summer|website=lohud.com|date=June 12, 2017|url=https://www.lohud.com/story/news/transit/2017/06/12/amtrak-grand-central-terminal/389719001/|access-date=April 17, 2018|archive-date=June 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613155038/https://www.lohud.com/story/news/transit/2017/06/12/amtrak-grand-central-terminal/389719001/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Rulison|first1=Larry|last2=Anderson|first2=Eric|title=Repairs will shift Amtrak's Rensselaer trains to Grand Central Terminal|website=Times Union|date=April 10, 2018|url=https://www.timesunion.com/business/article/Amtrak-announces-summer-construction-plans-12821170.php|access-date=April 17, 2018|archive-date=April 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418032436/https://www.timesunion.com/business/article/Amtrak-announces-summer-construction-plans-12821170.php|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Renovation and subsequent expansions ===
[[File:100Years 5900 (8435665301).jpg|thumb|alt=Hundreds of people gathered in the Main Concourse for a celebratory event|Centennial celebration performance, 2013]]
In 1988, the MTA commissioned a study of Grand Central Terminal, which concluded that parts of the terminal could be turned into a retail area.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/01/11/nyregion/plan-urges-new-look-at-terminal-by-richard-levine.html|title=Plan Urges New Look At Terminal|last=Levine|first=Richard|date=January 11, 1988|newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331|access-date=February 26, 2018|archive-date=February 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227034232/http://www.nytimes.com/1988/01/11/nyregion/plan-urges-new-look-at-terminal-by-richard-levine.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1995, the agency began a $113.8 million renovation of the terminal's interior.<ref name="nyt19950129" /> All advertisements were removed and the station was restored;<ref name="nyt20081120" /> for example, the Main Concourse ceiling was cleaned to reveal the [[Skyscape art|painted skyscape]] and constellations.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/09/20/nyregion/work-starts-100-feet-above-grand-central-commuters.html|title=Work Starts 100 Feet Above Grand Central Commuters|last=Lueck|first=Thomas J.|date=September 20, 1996|website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331|access-date=December 6, 2018|archive-date=December 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181207045730/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/09/20/nyregion/work-starts-100-feet-above-grand-central-commuters.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/26015036/grandeur_grand_central_terminal/|title=Grandeur!|date=February 16, 1997|work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251|access-date=December 6, 2018|page=698|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=December 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181207045743/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/26015036/grandeur_grand_central_terminal/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Inside The Sky Mural Restoration at Grand Central Terminal |url=https://johncanningco.com/blog/sky-mural-restoration-at-grand-central-terminal/ |website=John Canning & Co. |date=August 31, 2016 |access-date=April 17, 2023 |archive-date=January 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125043043/https://johncanningco.com/blog/sky-mural-restoration-at-grand-central-terminal/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The East Stairs, a curved monumental staircase on the east side of the Main Concourse, was added to match the West Stairs.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/29/nyregion/grand-central-may-be-getting-east-staircase.html|title=Grand Central May Be Getting East Staircase|last=Dunlap|first=David W.|date=September 29, 1994|website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331|access-date=December 9, 2018|author-link=David W. Dunlap|archive-date=December 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209123551/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/29/nyregion/grand-central-may-be-getting-east-staircase.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The project's completion was marked with a re-dedication ceremony on October 1, 1998.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/02/nyregion/gritty-depot-glittery-destination-refurbished-grand-central-terminal-worthy-its.html|title=From Gritty Depot, A Glittery Destination; Refurbished Grand Central Terminal, Worthy of Its Name, Is Reopened|last=Sachs|first=Susan|date=October 2, 1998|website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331|access-date=December 8, 2018|archive-date=December 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209123759/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/02/nyregion/gritty-depot-glittery-destination-refurbished-grand-central-terminal-worthy-its.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/26075579/fanfare_marks_the_rededication_of_grand/|title=Fanfare marks the rededication of Grand Central Terminal|last=Klein|first=Melissa|date=October 2, 1998|work=The Journal News|access-date=December 6, 2018|location=White Plains, NY|page=1|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=December 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209123944/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/26075579/fanfare_marks_the_rededication_of_grand/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In December 2006, American Financial sold Grand Central Terminal to Midtown TDR Ventures, LLC, an investment group controlled by [[Argent Ventures]], which renegotiated the lease with the MTA to last until 2274.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stb.dot.gov/decisions/ReadingRoom.nsf/51d7c65c6f78e79385256541007f0580/0a80d738a3489079852572370054733d?OpenDocument|title=Midtown TDR Ventures LLC-Acquisition Exemption-American Premier Underwriters, Inc., The Owasco River Railway, Inc., and American Financial Group, Inc.|publisher=Surface Transportation Board, U.S. Department of Transportation|date=December 7, 2006|access-date=February 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170122004424/https://www.stb.gov/decisions/ReadingRoom.nsf/51d7c65c6f78e79385256541007f0580/0a80d738a3489079852572370054733d?OpenDocument|archive-date=January 22, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2018, the MTA exercised its option to purchase the terminal, along with the Hudson and Harlem Lines.<ref name="MTA-CPOC-Nov2018" /><ref>{{cite news |title=MTA to Purchase Grand Central Terminal, Harlem Line and Hudson Line for $35 Million |url=http://www.mta.info/press-release/mta-headquarters/mta-purchase-grand-central-terminal-harlem-line-and-hudson-line-35 |access-date=January 9, 2019 |publisher=MTA |date=November 13, 2018 |archive-date=January 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110234941/http://www.mta.info/press-release/mta-headquarters/mta-purchase-grand-central-terminal-harlem-line-and-hudson-line-35 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The agency took ownership of the terminal and rail lines in February 2020.<ref>{{cite web|title=MTA takes ownership of Grand Central Terminal|work=Progressive Railroading|url=https://www.progressiverailroading.com/passenger_rail/news/MTA-takes-ownership-of-Grand-Central-Terminal--59979|date=March 13, 2020|access-date=March 17, 2020|archive-date=January 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128040849/https://www.progressiverailroading.com/passenger_rail/news/MTA-takes-ownership-of-Grand-Central-Terminal--59979|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Inaugural Train Ride To Grand Central Madison - 52649236695.jpg|thumb|alt=Politicians walking through the new bright LIRR concourse|Governor [[Kathy Hochul]] and MTA Chair [[Janno Lieber]] at the opening of [[Grand Central Madison]], 2023]]
On February 1, 2013, numerous displays, performances, and events were held to celebrate the terminal's centennial.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mta.info/news/2013/02/03/grand-central-centennial-continues-2013|title=Grand Central Centennial Continues in 2013|website=mta.info|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|date=February 3, 2013|access-date=December 10, 2018|archive-date=December 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181211010126/http://www.mta.info/news/2013/02/03/grand-central-centennial-continues-2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Grand Central turns 100|url=http://www.rtands.com/index.php/track-maintenance/off-track-maintenance/grand-central-turns-100.html?channel=286|newspaper=RT&S|date=February 1, 2013|access-date=February 5, 2013|archive-date=August 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801235903/http://www.rtands.com/index.php/track-maintenance/off-track-maintenance/grand-central-turns-100.html?channel=286|url-status=live}}</ref> The MTA awarded contracts to replace the display boards and public announcement systems and add security cameras at Grand Central Terminal in December 2017.<ref name="MTA-MNRR-Jan2018" /> The MTA also proposed to repair the Grand Central Terminal train shed's concrete and steel as part of the 2020–2024 MTA Capital Program.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/transportation/mta-mulling-big-repairs-grand-central-train-shed|title=MTA mulling big repairs to Grand Central train shed|date=December 5, 2018|website=Crain's New York Business|language=en|access-date=December 6, 2018|archive-date=December 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206144701/https://www.crainsnewyork.com/transportation/mta-mulling-big-repairs-grand-central-train-shed|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2019, it was announced that the Grand Hyatt New York hotel that abuts Grand Central Terminal to the east would be torn down and replaced with a larger mixed-use structure over the next several years.<ref>{{cite web | last=Barbanel | first=Josh | title=New York's Grand Hyatt Hotel to Be Torn Down | website=The Wall Street Journal | date=February 7, 2019 | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-yorks-grand-hyatt-hotel-to-be-torn-down-11549567095 | access-date=February 9, 2019 | archive-date=January 17, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117125428/https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-yorks-grand-hyatt-hotel-to-be-torn-down-11549567095 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Plitt | first=Amy | title=Midtown's Grand Hyatt Hotel to be replaced by huge mixed-use tower | website=Curbed NY | date=February 7, 2019 | url=https://ny.curbed.com/2019/2/7/18215906/new-york-midtown-east-rezoning-skyscraper-grand-hyatt | access-date=February 9, 2019 | archive-date=November 7, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107233601/https://ny.curbed.com/2019/2/7/18215906/new-york-midtown-east-rezoning-skyscraper-grand-hyatt | url-status=live }}</ref> In September 2020, the skyscraper [[One Vanderbilt]] opened, along with a train hall at its base, a pedestrian plaza connecting it to the terminal, and an underground passage to the complex's subway station. The plaza was built on a section of Vanderbilt Avenue, permanently closing the section to automobile traffic for the first time.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wong|first=Natalie|date=September 14, 2020|title=Manhattan's Newest Skyscraper Opens Up to a Dead Midtown|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-14/manhattan-s-newest-skyscraper-is-opening-up-to-a-dead-midtown|access-date=September 14, 2020|publisher=Bloomberg L.P.|archive-date=September 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916235852/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-14/manhattan-s-newest-skyscraper-is-opening-up-to-a-dead-midtown|url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 2023, the MTA's new [[Grand Central Madison station]] opened beneath Grand Central Terminal. The new station, serving the [[Long Island Rail Road]], was under development since 2007. The project, officially titled [[East Side Access]], cost $11.1 billion.<ref>{{cite news|first1=Ana |last1=Ley|first2=Wesley |last2=Parnell|title=L.I.R.R. Service to Grand Central Begins at Long Last|newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/25/nyregion/lirr-grand-central.html|date=January 25, 2023|access-date=February 12, 2023|archive-date=January 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126011811/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/25/nyregion/lirr-grand-central.html|url-status=live}}</ref> LIRR trains arrive and depart from a bi-level, eight-track tunnel with four platforms more than {{convert|90|ft|m}} below the Metro-North tracks.<ref name="AutoVN-90" /> The station includes a new 350,000-square-foot retail and dining concourse<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/MTA-East-Side-Access-Project-Grand-Central-Terminal-Long-Island-Rail-Road-Tour-340356972.html|title=Massive East Side Access Project Rolling On Under Grand Central|last=Dobnik|first=Verena|date=November 4, 2015|website=nbcnewyork.com|access-date=January 19, 2016|archive-date=December 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191201005016/https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/MTA-East-Side-Access-Project-Grand-Central-Terminal-Long-Island-Rail-Road-Tour-340356972.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and new entrances at 45th, 46th, and 48th streets.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/photo-essays/2015-11-04/lirr-east-side-access-grand-central-terminal-tunnels-construction|title=Inside the Massive New Rail Tunnels Beneath NYC's Grand Central|last=Ocean|first=Justin|date=November 4, 2015|publisher=Bloomberg News|access-date=January 19, 2016|archive-date=February 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204093250/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/photo-essays/2015-11-04/lirr-east-side-access-grand-central-terminal-tunnels-construction|url-status=live}}</ref>