The Moynihan Station Development Corporation, a subsidiary of Empire State Development, oversaw the construction of the Moynihan Train Hall, a world-class transportation hub for the 21st century. The $1.6 billion renovation restored the Beaux-Arts Farley Building and created a new 225,000 square foot hall for Long Island Railroad (LIRR) and Amtrak passengers by increasing the floor space more than 50%. The renovated Farley Building will also house 700,000 square feet of new commercial, retail and dining space within the mixed-use facility and create an iconic civic space for Manhattan's West Side.

The Moynihan Train Hall is part of the transformation of the Penn Station-Farley Complex announced by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo in January 2016 to dramatically modernize, upgrade and redesign America's busiest transit hub into a world-class facility. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Penn Station saw 650,000 daily riders. The complex improvements also include a comprehensive redesign of the LIRR's existing 33rd Street concourse at the current Penn Station and an extensive renovation to the adjacent Seventh and Eighth Avenue subway stations.

With tons of steel components exposed to the commuters visually the obvious choice was to assure a long life-cycle and minimal maintenance. The advantages of not having to shut down a busy train station for future cosmetic repairs made hot-dip galvanizing not just the smart choice, but the only choice.

Opened earlier than anticipated and on budget, Moynihan Train Hall is a world-class intercity and commuter passenger boarding concourse for Amtrak and MTA-Long Island Railroad passengers, which will provide relief to the crowded boarding conditions. The New York Times called it “the uplifting gateway the city deserves” which is high praise for a publicly funded transit station. The exposed hot-dip galvanized trusses shine against the glass panels bringing in natural light. 

The modern, spectacular Moynihan Train Hall is as practical as it is beautiful. Not only will it alleviate congestion in the busy transit center, but the retail and food shops will attract visitors and delight passengers. Thanks to the decision to utilize hot-dip galvanized steel, the beauty and functionality of Moynihan Train Hall will be intact for generations to come.