Work to revamp Baltimore’s Penn Station begins
Penn Station groundbreaking in Oct. 2021 by Maryland GovPics licensed under Creative Commons.
Initial renovation work on Baltimore’s Penn Station building has officially started with scaffolding and fences going up last week, according to Amtrak officials.
Penn Station is the major hub for transit in Baltimore, with Amtrak, MARC, light rail and bus lines running in and near the station. But the station has not been renovated since 1984. Amtrak and Penn Station Partners, the developer on the project, are planning a major $150 million renovation to restore the existing building while expanding the station in anticipation of increased ridership by 2040, as well as to improve the customer experience. The project, which started around 2018, has been a long time coming for residents wanting to see improved transit options in their city.
The existing building will be revamped to accommodate office space and anchor tenants. This summer developers are scheduled to add window refurbishment, new plumbing and electrical system, and a new roof. Other upgrades scheduled for summer 2023 include new restrooms and elevators.
Exterior view of the initial development focus area: Penn Station, the station expansion, and Lanvale building. (Image: Gensler) 
Penn’s restoration is just one part of a broader expansion. Crews broke ground on other parts of the expansion project in Oct. 2021. Plans are also underway to build out a new ADA compliant concourse for travel, improve station platforms ahead of new Acela trains expected in 2022, and add mixed-used, transit-oriented development with residential and retail space.
A pedestrian-only pathway to the front entrance, outdoor space, and seating are also slated for the project. Click here to see the latest renderings.