Renderings released of the proposed renovations at MSG.
Madison Square Garden/Cablevision announced their plans for a $500 million renovation of the iconic arena yesterday. This comes on the heels of the announcement that the Garden would not move to a new location next to the Farley Post Office. MSG’s refusal to move west and decision to renovate threw a wrench into grand plans for a new Penn Station and 
new office tower development on the current MSG site.
The renovation plans by Brisbin Brook Beynon feature a 25-foot-high glass ceiling in the enlarged lobby space, widened hallways with views to the outside, more restaurants and bathrooms, luxury suites closer to floor level, and bars in the upper levels.
All of the changes would take place within the interior of the structure, so the owners don’t need as many state and city approvals. If all goes according to plan, the renovations would be finished by late 2011, and would not disrupt the Knicks’ nor the Rangers’ seasons.
The renovations are not planned to begin for another year, which allows ample time for the city and state to bargain to get MSG officials back to the idea of moving the Garden west. It’s entirely plausible to assume that this entire renovation proposal is one big bluff to get more favorable terms.
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