The original Pennsylvania Station, designed by McKim, Mead & White, symbolized the lost beauty of rail travel and public space in the United States following its demolition in 1963. The set back monolithic office building that replaced it lacked a connection to the city, didn’t accommodate the public, and failed to provide for its tenants. The 1.75 million square foot restoration and expansion of PENN 2 breathes new life into the gateway of Seventh Avenue atop the busiest transportation hub in North America. As an anchor to the larger PENN DISTRICT masterplan, PENN 2 embodies the most progressive ideals in the workplace typology today. It couples with PENN 1 to offer a robust amenities package across a connected campus. The project establishes a monumental public space, organizes and engages with the street, and serves as a model for the future of the workplace. More than just an office building project, it is a total investment in the neighborhood, improving street and sidewalk experience, introducing public green space, and organizing the many uses present on the site.

The result is a mixed-use building that brings people back to the office while bringing the city and district back to life. An iconic raised addition perched 50 feet above the plaza features LED-backed perforated metal panels that create an immersive light installation below. The new office space within the addition boasts two double-height, column-free floor plates spanning 430 feet long by 75 feet wide by 25 feet high, offering rare and invaluable tenancy in New York. The new triple height lobby clarifies circulation and mitigates conflict with public activities at the street level. Visible within are a public café, tenant lounge and terrace. Additional amenities include a 280-person town hall and pre-function space, as well as 75,000 square feet of new outdoor space, featuring recessed terraces at every other floor and a 17,000 square foot roof park supported by a multi-functional roof pavilion.

ASI partitions and accessories were used throughout the building as part of a full core restroom re-design. Men’s and women’s restrooms were upgraded on all 32 floors, and gender-neutral restrooms were added throughout.

“As part of a comprehensive upgrade to the building, the restrooms were designed with premium finishes to provide a hospitality-forward experience for office tenants. The design team was in search of the highest quality products that could be economically applied to all floors of the building.”

—Daniela Petrusev, Senior Director
MdeAS Architects

ASI provided 2,000 Black Alpaco Classic partitions and stainless steel accessories including toilet paper and paper towel dispensers and grab bars.

“ASI provided the most elevated aesthetic to meet the project needs. Black partitions and brushed stainless steel accessories compliment the contemporary material palette of grey large format tile, white subway tile, and warm oak ceilings.”

—Daniela Petrusev, Senior Director
MdeAS Architects