2002 PINNACLE AWARD OF MERIT
GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL RESTORATION.
The East Staircase of Grand Central Terminal was completed in 1998 by Miller Druck Specialty Contracting, nearly 85 years after the Terminal first opened in 1913. Designed to mirror the west staircase, this long-planned feature restored the architectural balance intended initially by the Beaux-Arts architects.
Miller Druck meticulously fabricated and installed the new stairway in Tennessee marble, the same stone used throughout the landmark’s interior. The project required expert craftsmanship to seamlessly integrate the staircase into one of New York City’s most iconic spaces, honoring both the historic design and the enduring legacy of stone as a timeless material.
The Grand Central East Staircase showcases elegant, simple marble that harmonizes with the Main Concourse's 1990s aesthetic, preserving the building's balanced symmetry.
The East Staircase also features less ornate balustrades to clearly communicate to future generations that it was a modification and not part of the initial construction, according to Mindful Walker.
Most people walking through Grand Central assume both grand staircases have always been there. The truth? The East Staircase wasn’t added until the 1990s — more than 85 years after the Terminal opened in 1913.
Initially, the Beaux-Arts architects envisioned two matching staircases, but only the west staircase was built due to budget and space constraints. Decades later, Miller Druck Specialty Contracting was commissioned to fabricate and install the missing East Staircase, finally restoring the symmetry of this New York landmark.
Our team carefully crafted the new stair from Tennessee marble, the same stone used throughout the Terminal’s interior, ensuring it blended seamlessly with the century-old architecture. Today, this staircase is not just a passageway — it’s a piece of history brought to life, a reminder that even great icons can still evolve.
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