Moynihan Train Hall

I have always been captivated by the transformation of New York City’s historic buildings, especially those reimagined as public spaces. When the Moynihan Train Hall project at Penn Station was announced in the early 1990s, I eagerly anticipated its completion. From my nearby office building in the early 2000s, I watched as the immense skylights were carefully installed, a symbol of the project’s promise.

When I first stepped into the Train Hall after its opening, those magnificent skylights took my breath away. The interplay of light shifting with the weather and time of day infused the space with a dynamic beauty and an ever-changing ambiance.

The Farley Post Office, constructed in 1912, served as the sister building to the original Penn Station, built in 1910 across the street and tragically demolished in 1963. The loss of the original Penn Station made the completion of Moynihan Train Hall all the more poignant.

Opening on January 1, 2021, it fulfilled a vision nearly six decades in the making.

Initially, I was drawn to photographing the architectural details of Moynihan Train Hall—the beams, ceilings, entrances, and escalators. However, I soon realized that capturing the people who pass through this space would add depth and emotion to my work. Families, friends, solo travelers—each brought their own stories, creating a vibrant tapestry of human movement and connection.

This collection of photographs, taken between 2022 and 2024, celebrates the poignant and lively moments of travelers waiting to embark on their journeys under the architectural grandeur of Moynihan Train Hall. These images explore the rich diversity and shared humanity of the passengers, each immersed in their unique experiences. Whether families, friends, or solo adventurers, with luggage or bicycles, all are united by their ubiquitous mobile phones and the anticipation of their next destination.

Through this series, I aim to highlight the juxtaposition of history and modernity—the timeless beauty of a repurposed landmark set against the fleeting, personal stories of its visitors. By focusing on the anticipation, emotion, and transient nature of travel, I seek to portray Moynihan Train Hall as more than just a station. It is a dynamic intersection of lives and destinations, a place where every waiting moment brims with the promise of new adventures.