Final Phase of Pershing Square Plaza Completed, Providing Large Multi-Purpose Pedestrian Area Near Grand Central Terminal

Pershing Square East overlooking Grand Central Terminal

The City’s Newest Pedestrian Plaza Creates a Welcoming Gateway in East Midtown

The $16.7 Million Investment by the East Midtown Governing Group Brings Chairs, Tables, Sustainability Features, and Other Amenities to Plaza

The completion of the final phase of Pershing Square Plaza was announced, creating a new multi-purpose public space that invites pedestrian activity and supports local businesses. The project was built in two phases, Pershing Square East and Pershing Square West, for a total investment of $16.7 million. DDC managed the project for DOT and DEP. 

The Pershing Square East project is one of the first projects funded from the East Midtown Governing Group as a result of the East Midtown rezoning. The governing group voted to fund this project as one of their highest priorities, and the city responded by delivering this priority public space.

The new Pershing Square East, which accounts for $5 million of the total $16.7 million Pershing Square, is 10,000-square-feet on Park Avenue East between 41st and 42nd streets. It is equipped with 18 tables with chairs, a metal louvre fence and gate, and a Citi Bike station. The project installed 900 square yards of asphalt, six ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps, nearly 6,000 square feet of sidewalk, 550 square feet of granite pavers, 53 security bollards, and five trees. 

The project also added wayfinding signage, new pedestrian signals, and upgraded streetlights and traffic signals. Additionally, nearly 300 feet of water and storm sewer pipes were upgraded, and four catch basins were installed. Construction of Pershing Square East began in January 2022.

Pershing Square West, an $11.7 million project located on Park Avenue West between 41st and 42nd Streets, adds another 13 tables for public use. At the heart of the 12,150-square-foot plaza is a raised patio, designed to serve as an outdoor dining area for The Pershing Square Café. Surrounding the perimeter of the raised patio is a continuous trench drain system integrated into the paving that directs stormwater to a new rain garden for natural absorption. Additionally, a custom-designed river bench at both the northern and southern edge of the raised patio offers continuous seating, guiding the eye and foot traffic toward key features like the dining area and new planted spaces. 

Pershing Square West has three trees and 465 plants, including 235 ornamental grasses and 230 perennials. Crews also installed 8,000 square yards of asphalt, nearly 700 feet of sidewalk and over 400 feet of curb. Over 4,000 feet of water main and approximately 350 feet of storm sewers were upgraded. Three catch basins, 21 fire hydrants and six ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps were replaced or installed. The project received a Gold Award for Engineering Excellence from the American Council of Engineering Companies of New York. Construction of Pershing Square West began in 2014 and ended in 2020.

The effort to create a plaza at the site began in 2013 when Community Board 5 endorsed the temporary termination of vehicular traffic in the northbound lanes of Park Avenue between East 41st and East 42nd Streets. The transformation of the temporary eastern plaza to a permanent installation was done under the NYC Plaza Program. Funding for the plaza was part of East Midtown rezoning and the plaza will be maintained by the Grand Central Partnership.