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AN URBAN OASIS IN THE HEART OF MIDTOWN
Pershing Square Plaza, a special community programming initiative of the Grand
Central Partnership, in cooperation with the Pershing Square Café and the City
of New York, sits in the heart of the Grand Central neighborhood at the front
doorstep of Grand Central Terminal. Nestled in the southbound lanes of Park
Avenue between 42nd and 41st Streets, and flanked by the headquarters of the
Altria Group and the Pershing Square Viaduct, Pershing Square Plaza is an urban
oasis in the heart of Midtown Manhattan.
Studded with trees, café tables, and chairs, the Plaza offers an alternative to
the typical urban environment from May through October. Weather permitting, a
public seating promenade is open weekdays from 11 am until 3 pm alongside the
Altria Building. Pedestrians are welcome to stop by with bag lunches, or to
simply sit in the sun as they absorb the picturesque glow of Mercury and the
inspiring Beaux Arts south façade of Grand Central Terminal.
Just across from the public seating area is a Parisian-style outdoor café
operated by the Pershing Square Café, weather permitting, weekdays from 12 noon
until 10:30 pm for lunch, drinks, and dinner. For more info, call 212-286-9600.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF PERSHING SQUARE PLAZA
When Grand Central Terminal opened in 1913, ramps carrying traffic around the
landmark were built to complete a vehicular link along Park Avenue. The
elevated ramp approaching the south side of the Terminal interrupted a
previously open space on the south side of Park Ave. and 42nd St., known as
Pershing Square - named for noted World War I hero General John J. Pershing
(1860-1948). Later, two arches beneath the bridge were walled in, leaving Park
Ave. with two disconnected vestigial arms to the east and west.
Recognizing the value of this historically underused space, GCP entered in a
lease arrangement with the City of New York to develop a first class restaurant
at the site. GCP solicited proposals from noted restaurateurs to develop the
site, and in September 1997, entered into a sublease with a firm headed by
noted restaurateur Michael "Buzzy" O'Keeffe (Water Club, River Café) to develop
the Pershing Square Café. After over $4.2 million in capital investments by GCP
and Pershing Sq. Development, LLC, the Café opened its doors for business in
fall 1999.
EVENTS AT PERSHING SQUARE PLAZA
In addition to the public promenade seating and Pershing Square Café's outdoor
dining area, GCP has also created a unique open-air venue for events,
promotional activities, and musical performances. In the past, GCP has hosted
such entities as the Canadian Tourism Commission, the Got Milk? campaign
and NASCAR superstar Jeff Gordon's teen driving safety program Get Real Behind
the Wheel. For more information on holding a corporate promotional
event in Pershing Square Plaza, contact GCP here.
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