Walking Midtown New York: Park Avenue

Helmsley and MetLife Buildings, New York

As you head South on Park Avenue from the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, you will see two buildings. The first is the Helmsley Building, built in 1929 to house the headquarters of the New York Central Railroad Company. This building straddles Park Avenue and sits above two levels of railway tracks. There are two archways leading traffic under the Helmsley Building and around the MetLife Building (previously the Pam Am Building).

Grand Central Terminal, New York

As you walk South on Park Avenue, you will pass under the Helmsley Building. Continue walking South along Park Avenue (keep to the right-hand side) until you come to Grand Central Terminal.

Most people know Grand Central Terminal as Grand Central Station. In the early 1900s, state laws were passed banning steam locomotives from Manhattan. The New York Central Railroad company decided to switch to electric locomotives and created a two-level underground system of tracks. These tracks run under Park Avenue and appear above ground at East 42nd and East 59th Streets.

The tracks terminate at Grand Central. Over 500 trains a day arrive and depart from the station. More than 200,000 commuters and long-distance travelers travel through the station every day.