Grand by Design

Sunlight streams through the windows in the concourse at Grand Central Terminal in New York City in 1954. (AP)

Grand Central Terminal turned 100 years old last Friday. The doors first opened on February 2, 1913 and there is currently a year-long celebration in the terminal including a show organized by the New York Transit Museum called Grand by Design: A Centennial Celebration of Grand Central Terminal.

A little background: The terminal was designed by the architectural firms of Reed and Stem and Warren and Wetmore. Built by and named for the New York Central Railroad in the heyday of American long-distance passenger rail travel, it is the largest train station in the world by number of platforms.

Reed & Stem were responsible for the overall design of the station, Warren and Wetmore added architectural details in the Beaux Arts Style. The French sculptor Jules-Alexis Coutan created what was, considered the largest sculptural group in the world at the time. Seen below, it is 48 feet (15 m) high, the clock in the center having a circumference of 13 feet (4.0 m). It depicts Mercury flanked by Hercules and Minerva and was carved by the John Donnelly Company.


If you have a moment head over to this terrific building and enjoy the many beautiful architectural and design details. In fact, the counter at the Oyster Bar on the lower level (see picture, bottom left), is a wonderful place for a quick lunch. Enjoy some oysters or a panroast and you won't believe the vaulted ceiling. Still a marvel, 100 years young, Grand Central is definitely a great example of enduring design!