Grand Central Terminal in New York City was constructed between 1903 and 1913 with a price tag of $80 million ($2 billion relative to today). It was designed by the firm of Reed and Stem of St. Paul, as well as Warren and Wetmore of New York City. The old Grand Central was razed in 1910 and a temporary station in the Grand Central Palace at Lexington Avenue and 43rd Street was used until 1912.c

Grand Central Terminal officially opened its door at 12:01am on Sunday, February 2, 1913. Over 150,000 citizens visited the terminal on its opening day.c

Development around Grand Central Terminal took off after its construction was completed. The Biltmore Hotel, the Yale Club, office and apartment buildings were erected to take advantage of the prime real estate where commuters and tourists would constantly be coming and going.c

Over the years, Grand Central Terminal has housed art galleries, an art school, a movie theatre, a rail history museum and multiple temporary exhibits.

By the early 1950s, however, the Terminal began a decline as post-war America settled in the suburbs and rail travel revenues were plummeting. In 1958, Grand Central's six-story office structure at the Terminal's rear was demolished by developed Erwin S. Wolfson and replaced by the 59-story Pan Am Building, obscuring the Terminal from uptown. The interior was also parceled out for billboards and commercial advertising in an effort to increase profits.c

New York City's Landmarks Preservation Commission designated Grand Central as a landmark, subject to the protection of law, on August 2, 1967. It wasn't designated a National Historic Landmark until the National Register of Historic Places named Grand Central such in December 1976.c

Repairs and improvements to Grand Central Terminal took place in 1983 under the operation of Metro-North. Upwards of $4.5 million were relegated to the project.

In 1990, a $425 million Master Plan for the Terminal was presented at a hearing and adopted by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The renovations were completed by 1992.c

MTA gained control of the Terminal with a 110-year lease in 1994. Thereafter, more repairs began, including the cleaning of the Main Concourse Sky Ceiling in 1996. The revitalization project was completed on October 1, 1998.c

Today, Grand Central Terminal is home to five restaurants and cocktail lounges, 20 casual international eateries, gourmet foods from Grand Central Market and 50 unique speciality shops throughout the concourse. There are also free promotions and entertainment ranging from tennis exhibits to the annual Holiday Fair in Vanderbilt Hall (the 12,000 foot former Main Waiting Room) throughout the year.c

Walking Tours: a self-guided walking tour is a fun, free way to learn about the Terminal, its history and what it offers. Use an Internet-capable phone to access Grand Central's website, then click on "Tours" followed by "Walking Tour." Here you will find all the information you need to guide you through the Terminal, starting at the four-sided clock in the middle of the Main Concourse.c

Audio Tours: available seven days a week all year long, Audio Tours are available at specially-marked "GCT Tour" windows on the Main Concourse from 9am to 7:30pm most days. You'll receive an audio device and headset along with a map of the terminal. Devices are available in English, French, Spanish, Japanese, Italian and German. Cost is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and the disabled, $3 for students and $1 for children under 12.c