Preparing an Icon: The Pankow Special Projects Approach at Union Station
For nearly a century, Union Station has served as the gateway to Los Angeles. Generations of travelers, commuters, and dreamers have passed through its halls, making it one of the most recognizable and beloved landmarks in Southern California.
This summer, Union Station will once again find itself at the center of a historic moment as Los Angeles welcomes the world for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. While visitors will experience the excitement and energy of the Fan Fest, the foundation for that success was laid through years of quiet, precise work completed long before the first fan arrives.
A Decade of Stewardship
Preparing an active transportation hub for a global event requires a delicate balance: meeting the needs of today while protecting the character and history that make Union Station so special. That balance is at the heart of Pankow’s Special Projects approach.
For more than a decade, Pankow has had the privilege of working alongside Union Station and its partners as a trusted steward of the facility. Our relationship extends far beyond a single event; it is a story of long-term partnership and preservation. This dedication to the station’s legacy was recently recognized by the California Preservation Foundation, which honored the Union Station South Patio project with a 2026 Preservation Design Award in the Craftsmanship category. This award reflects the incredible care required to restore nearly 100,000 historic bricks and execute comprehensive infrastructure upgrades while honoring the original 1939 design intent.
The Complexity of the "Unseen"
What most visitors won't see are the months of planning, coordination, and technical expertise required to make these moments possible. Working within a high-traffic, active transportation hub means the majority of our work happens while the city is moving. It requires meticulous coordination among owners, designers, preservationists like ARG, and operators like Morlin.
Our Special Projects expertise is built for this exact environment:
Agile Delivery: Executing critical infrastructure and preservation work without disrupting the 24/7 pulse of a living landmark.
Technical Stewardship: Navigating the unique requirements of a landmarked site with surgical precision and a deep respect for original craftsmanship.
Integrated Partnership: Leveraging ten years of site-specific knowledge to solve complex problems and ensure the station remains ready for future generations.
The World Cup provides the occasion, but the story is one of partnership and preparation. As the world passes through these halls this summer, they will experience the result of countless hours of work dedicated to ensuring Union Station remains a vibrant gateway for whatever comes next.
We’re proud to be part of that story.