This year marks the 100th anniversary of historic Grand Central Terminal. Aside from being a top destination in New York for both tourists and locals, Grand Central shares some interesting history with The New York Palace. In fact, in the mid-1970s both Grand Central and the Villard Houses, now The Villard Mansion and the cornerstone of The New York Palace, were deemed New York City landmarks in order to prevent demolition of the buildings.
With the help of the Municipal Art Society and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Grand Central was designated as a landmark by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission and preserved from the threat of reconstruction by Penn Central Railroad.
(Grand Central Terminal – Photo credit: The Daily Beast)
Ironically, the legendary Villard Houses were in a similar predicament. In the 1970s real estate developer Harry Helmsley wanted to demolish the Villard Houses and construct a new hotel in their place. Again with the help of the Municipal Art Society, the Villard Houses received landmark status and Helmsley was forced to erect the hotel – now The New York Palace – behind the historic building, therefore preserving the structure and blending the old with the new.
(Villard Houses – Photo credit: Huffington Post)
We hope you’ll join us in celebrating two landmarks that are integral to the fabric of our beloved New York City for many more years to come.