NEW YORK—Grand Central turns 100 on Feb. 2. Much more than a transportation hub, this New York City icon draws more than 200,000 visitors a day, making Grand Central the sixth most visited tourist destination in the world.
From the 1960s through to 1990, the terminal was dirty and tired—a haven for homeless people. A major renovation was completed in the early ‘90s that cost well over $600 million. It was a revitalization both aesthetically and commercially.
The Grand Central shops now compete with the most successful shopping centers in the United States on a square foot basis, while the restaurants draw an estimated 10,000 people per day just for lunch. This slide show offers some unique insights into the terminal: both its iconic and lesser known places.
