On August 2, 1967, NYC’s recently established Landmarks Preservation Commission designated Grand Central Terminal as a landmark, subject to the protection of the law. Pennsylvania Station had recently been demolished and the decision ensured the Terminal’s safety — for the moment. Penn Central (the result of a merger between the New York Central and Pennsylvania Railroads) leased Grand Central Terminal to developer UGP Properties, Inc, who proposed building a 55-story tower designed by Marcel Breuer above Grand Central.
