Grand Central - John Belle

This is the story of Grand Central Terminal in New York City, the railway building whose birth, survival and restoration reflect not only the changes that have taken place in America's history, culture and social consciousness but also the critical role architecture plays in the expansion of the city.;The book opens with the historical struggle to save Grand Central in the wake of the destruction of Penn Station and in the face of economic forces in the property market. There follows a chronological history of the previous two railway stations on the site; the construction of the present building; and some anecdotal human stories, films and radio programmes that involved the great building. Also chronicled is the decline of long-distance rail travel in the United States and the emergence of the Metropolitan Transit Authority as the force behind Grand Central's rebirth. Text and photographs provide a firsthand account of the $400 million restoration.