Lexington Avenue–59th Street: A Major Interchange in Midtown East

The Lexington Avenue–59th Street station is a major subway complex located on the border of Midtown East and the Upper East Side in Manhattan, New York. It serves as a crucial transfer point between several main subway lines, making it one of the busiest stations in the system. Its strategic location near key destinations like Bloomingdale’s and the Roosevelt Island Tramway establishes it as a vital hub for commuters, shoppers, and tourists.

Connections and Services

The Lexington Avenue–59th Street station is a complex consisting of two originally separate, interconnected stations:

Lexington Avenue–59th Street (Lexington Avenue Line)

• This part of the complex is an express station on the IRT Lexington Avenue Line of the New York City Subway.
• It is served by trains on the following services:
  • 4 (green)
  • 5 (green)
  • 6 (green)

  (The 5 service does not operate at this station during nights and weekends).

• Main entrance address: Lexington Avenue between 59th and 60th Streets, New York, NY.

59th Street (Broadway Line)

• This part of the complex is a station on the BMT Broadway Line of the New York City Subway.
• It is served by trains on the following services:
  • N (yellow)
  • R (yellow)
  • W (yellow)

  (The W service does not operate at this station during nights and weekends).

• Entrances to this section of the station are located near Third Avenue and 60th Street, as well as inside Bloomingdale’s.

The interconnection between these two stations, facilitated by underground passageways, allows passengers to make convenient transfers between the Lexington Avenue Line and the Broadway Line.

Importance and Location

• The station is located beneath the intersection of Lexington Avenue and 59th/60th Street, on the border of the Midtown East and Upper East Side neighborhoods in Manhattan.
• Its strategic location makes it a key access point to important destinations such as:

  • Midtown East / Upper East Side

    • Bloomingdale’s flagship store, a shopping icon.
    • Direct access to the Roosevelt Island Tramway.
    • Vibrant commercial and business area with numerous offices and shops.
    • Proximity to the southeast corner of Central Park.

  • Nearby Points of Interest

    • 59th Street and Madison Avenue shopping district.
    • Variety of restaurants, hotels, and luxury boutiques.
    • Numerous consulates and corporate headquarters.
    • Apple Store glass cube on Fifth Avenue (a few blocks away).

  • Additional Connections

    • Internal pedestrian connection to the Lexington Avenue–63rd Street station (serving the F and Q lines).
    • Easy access to multiple surface bus routes serving Midtown and the Upper East Side.
    • Proximity to other subway lines via short walks.

History and Evolution

• The IRT Lexington Avenue Line station was opened on July 17, 1918.
• The BMT Broadway Line station opened its doors on September 1, 1919.
• A free transfer passageway between the two stations was opened in 1962, creating the current complex.
• The complex has undergone several renovations, including significant accessibility improvements with the addition of elevators and escalators.

Interesting Facts

• The station handles an extremely high volume of passengers, being one of the most used in the NYC subway system.
• It is a fundamental transfer point connecting key north-south lines (Lexington and Broadway).
• The presence of Bloomingdale’s directly connected to the station makes it a popular destination for shoppers.
• The IRT station is known for its noticeably curved platforms.