Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Fantastic Designs For A New Madison Square Garden If Madison Square Garden Had Nothing To Do With It
By
Max Rivlin-Nadler
Published May 29, 2013
Modified May 29, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Max Rivlin-Nadler
Published May 29, 2013
Modified May 29, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Earlier today we profiled some fantastic (and impossible) visions for a new Penn Station, courtesy of the Municipal Art Society's challenge to four renowned architecture firms. Now, let's take a look at what these dreamers came with up for Madison Square Garden.
Above, SHoP sees "an extension of the High Line that connects the new station to a glorious and financeable new Madison Square Garden."
Below is a layout of their vision of the west side of midtown (its fantasy highlighted by the inclusion of King Kong). Click here for larger image.
Rendering courtesy of SHoP
Another firm to take a stab at MSG was H3, who is opting to build the arena not on Manhattan, but next to it. They describe their design as "a relocation of Madison Square Garden to a 16-acre site on the west side waterfront provides an enhanced venue with a singular new identity and expanded tourist, hospitality, and entertainment opportunities."
Rendering courtesy of H3 Hardy Collaboration Architecture
So what does MSG think of these designs? Not very much. Not very much AT ALL. Here's The Madison Square Garden Company's statement on the May 29 Design Challenge:
It’s curious to see that there are so many ideas on how to tear down a privately owned building that is a thriving New York icon, supports thousands of jobs and is currently completing a $1 billion transformation. These pie-in-the-sky drawings completely ignore the fact that no viable plans or funding to rebuild Penn Station and relocate MSG actually exist. Not that long ago, MSG spent millions of dollars and three years exploring a move to the Farley building as part of the new vision for Moynihan Station.
That plan collapsed for a number of reasons that did not involve MSG, but did involve many of the same people now pressuring MSG to move, including The Municipal Art Society, which created enormous obstacles to achieving the relocation. The restoration of Moynihan Station has been a 20-year discussion that has led to very little progress or funding. The fact that this exercise does not include anyone who actually has detailed knowledge of this issue or understands the realities of this complex project exposes this exercise for exactly what it is.
Well sure, these designs will never become reality with THAT attitude!
Tagged
Architects
madison square garden
msg
penn station
ShoP
Max Rivlin-Nadler
Max Rivlin-Nadler has been a contributor to Gothamist since 2013. He has also reported for the New York Times, NPR, and The Intercept. His years-long investigation into New York City's arcane civil forfeiture laws led to a series of reforms which altered a practice that had been taking millions from poor communities for decades. Recently, he brought back a surfing habit from a few years on the west coast, and would love to see you all out in the Rockaways.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Man shot near Midtown subway station Saturday afternoon, NYPD says
Police responded to at the 53rd Street and 7th Avenue station in Manhattan.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 17, 2026 at 1:16 p.m. ET
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
News
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Tompkins Square Park is getting a makeover. Some say it's too much.
By
Willow Higgins
Deer are all over New Jersey roads looking for sex, state officials warn
By
Rosemary Misdary
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .