PROJECT PORTFOLIO

In 1989, Williams Jackson Ewing was selected by the MTA to develop the master plan for Grand Central Terminal. The eighty-seven year old building had been landmarked but was rapidly deteriorating. As new residential construction continues to emerge on Bowery, New York and Europe's best retailers and restaurateurs are flooding the area and the tenant roster keeps getting hotter. Known more for its crime and transient housing, most of the station’s luster had been glazed over by pollution and misuse and the surrounding neighborhood was in no better condition. Their vision was to create a public place in New York City's most recognizable landmark comprised of a unique blend of retailers, fresh food markets, retail shops, cafes and restaurants. 

In 1994, after an extensive competition against some of the nation's most prestigious developers, WJE and Lasalle Partners were awarded the rights to redevelop the world's most famous railroad terminal. Through Grand Central Terminal Venture and architects Beyer Blinder Belle, WJE developed and executed the retail concept and program for the historic property. WJE conceptualized, merchandised, leased and opened 119 stores and restaurants, which include some of the Nation’s hottest names and the City’s best talent in food and retail.

Of the project's 170,000 square feet, an additional 60,000 square feet of leasable area was developed from previously dormant, decaying space in the balconies and the basement, adding more retail value and income for the owners and additional usable space for the public. The Holiday Fair in Vanderbilt Hall, the Dining Concourse, and the Grand Central Terminal Market all set new standards for merchandising and leasing.

By securing the best New York restaurants, national retailers and one-of-a-kind shops, Williams Jackson Ewing was able to create a project that reflects the tastes and needs of New Yorkers, draws visitors from around the world, preserves the historic status and creates a sense of place for the property. The building is now a crown jewel for midtown Manhattan and serves as a monument to the renaissance of urban America.

Since the project's opening, Grand Central Terminal Venture has been awarded The Preservation Honor Award from The National Trust for Historic Preservation and a Presidential Design Award from the Federal Government of the United States. 

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