A majestic, century-old pink granite eagle is back on duty over Manhattan—or something close to it. After spending years tucked away in storage, this historic sculpture has finally returned to the city where it was born, stood proud (figuratively soared), and eventually vanished from view.
We’re talking about a hefty piece of urban art—nearly 1,700 pounds of solid stone—one of the original eagles that once perched atop the grand Beaux Arts Penn Station. That architectural gem stood between Seventh and Eighth Avenues from 1910 until its much-lamented demolition in the 1960s, still considered one of New York’s greatest losses in the name of progress.
And no, this isn’t a replica or a modern reinterpretation—it’s the genuine article. Carved over a century ago, this eagle survived the destruction of its original roost and, after decades of moving around and fading into obscurity, it’s finally back in the open, soaking up sun and Midtown traffic in a pedestrian plaza between 33rd and 34th Streets.
The sculpture even had a brief second act atop the newer version of Penn Station, before being moved into storage again in 2019 to make way for massive redevelopment works. Now, thanks to a $2.4 billion urban overhaul led by real estate giant Vornado Realty Trust, the eagle is back on display—this time nestled between 33rd and 34th Streets, in a newly redesigned pedestrian plaza at the heart of what’s now known as the “Penn District.”
Before making its latest comeback, the eagle got a meticulous restoration—not a facelift, but a careful cleaning that preserved every feather and crease. The job was handled by Urban Art Projects, the same creative minds behind the redesign of the iconic “Big Button” in the Garment District and the crafting of the famous Oscar statuettes. A touch of star power for a bird that never stopped watching over the city.
