In 2012, the Bleecker Street subway station was renovated to create a much-needed transfer from the uptown 6 train to the B/D/F/M trains, as previously transfers were only available to those on the downtown 6. The modification necessitated a shift in the subway platform south, and a northwards extension of the subway platform that was itself added in the 1950s to accommodate the longer 10-car trains closed. This platform is still viewable when you’re on the 6 train leaving the station and has preserved some advertisements from 2011.

The closed off platform, when viewed from the 6 platform is walled off with new tiling from the 2012 renovation and a door labeled “STA Refuse Room,” as sometimes you do see garbage bags temporarily stored there. The light green tiling along this portion of the platform, clearly from the mid-century is now mostly covered up in graffiti. There was also, at one point, an old payphone although we did not see it when we passed this most recent visit.

The renovation to the Bleecker Street station also added the well-known MTA Arts for Transit neon light installation, Hive, which hangs above the new staircase connector to the B/D/F/M platforms.

Leo Villareal, Hive, 2012.

Next, see more of NYC’s abandoned subway stations and platforms or check out 10 of our favorite NYC subway art installations.

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