Hoyt–Schermerhorn Streets: A Key Point in Downtown Brooklyn

The Hoyt–Schermerhorn Streets station is a subway station located in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn, New York. It serves as an important transfer point between several subway lines (A, C, G), making it a key station in the system. Its strategic location in Downtown Brooklyn makes it a fundamental access point to the borough’s civic, commercial, educational, and cultural centers.

Connections and Services

The Hoyt–Schermerhorn Streets station is an important subway station that serves multiple lines:

IND Fulton Street and Crosstown Lines Platforms

• This station has platforms for the IND Fulton Street and IND Crosstown lines of the New York City Subway.
• It is served by trains on the following services:
  • A (blue – Eighth Avenue Line via Fulton St Express)
  • C (blue – Eighth Avenue Line via Fulton St Local)
  • G (lime green – Crosstown Line Local)
  • Services vary depending on the time of day and day of the week.
• Address: Intersection of Hoyt St and Schermerhorn St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Station Features

• The station is notable for its large size and spacious mezzanine.
• It has center and side platforms, including disused outer platforms.
• It is served by trains on the following services:
  • Originally designed to accommodate more services under the IND Second System plans.
  • The disused platforms are sometimes used for filming or special events.
• Entrances are located at the corners of Hoyt St and Schermerhorn St, and Livingston St.

The station allows for easy transfers between A, C, and G services within the same fare control area.

Importance and Location

• The station is located at the intersection of Hoyt Street and Schermerhorn Street in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn.
• Its strategic location makes it a key access point to important destinations such as:

  • Downtown Brooklyn

    • Brooklyn’s civic center, including Borough Hall and the courts.
    • Commercial district with shops and restaurants at Fulton Street Mall.
    • New York Transit Museum: Located in a disused section of the nearby Court Street station, accessible from this area.
    • MetroTech Center: A major business and technology hub.

  • Institutions and Culture

    • Brooklyn Law School.
    • St. Francis College.
    • Proximity to neighboring areas like Boerum Hill and Cobble Hill.

  • Additional Nearby Attractions

    • Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM): A major cultural center (accessible via a short walk or bus).
    • Barclays Center: Sports and entertainment arena (accessible via a short walk or bus).

History and Evolution

• The Hoyt–Schermerhorn Streets station was opened on April 9, 1936, as part of the IND Fulton Street Line.
• Although it has undergone maintenance, it retains much of its original IND design.
• It is one of the key original stations of the IND system in Brooklyn.

Interesting Facts

• The station handles a significant volume of passengers, serving as a crucial hub in Brooklyn.
• It is famous for its disused platforms and tracks, often used in movies and music videos (like Michael Jackson’s ‘Bad’).
• The unused outer platforms are a remnant of unrealized expansion plans for the ‘IND Second System’.