His use of solar shading, wide overhangs, and communal gardens and external balconies has some similarities with the ideas advanced by Ken Yeang for the bioclimatic skyscraper.
Patrons of The Concourse include leading figures in Australia’s arts industries including soprano Yvonne Kenny, poet Les Murray, authors Matthew Reilly and Renée Goossens and rock icon Angry Anderson AM.
Many star players from the home teams – including Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris of the Yankees and Frank Gifford of the Giants – stayed at the Concourse Plaza, and visiting players would also stay at the hotel.
Outside the main entrance, the concourse features a 60 foot 6 inch fiberglass statue titled "The Ziz" created by artist Donald Lipski.
Although not part of Penn Center, the Comcast Center connects to the concourse; such an option was also examined for the canceled American Commerce Center.
In 1936 it was proclaimed a national monument and has since been plinthed in the concourse at Cape Town station.
The Island Line opening ceremony was held in this station in May 1985 and was officiated by then-MTR chairman Sir Wilfrid Newton and Governor of Hong Kong Sir Edward Youde, who unveiled the commemorative plaques at the concourse level.
The novel meanders through several real life race tracks, including Watkins Glen, Sebring, and Elkhart Lake (touching briefly on the creation of Road America near the end of The Fabulous Trashwagon) and also some real life races such as the Concourse de'Elegance at Elkhart Lake with some of the actual participants such as the three Cunningham's.