59th Street–Columbus Circle station

59th Street–Columbus Circle station
Name	59th Street–Columbus Circle
Type	New York City Subway station complex
Style	New York City Subway
Caption	Entrance at the Columbus Circle rotary.
Address	Intersection of Eighth Avenue, Broadway, Central Park South, and Central Park West
Borough	Manhattan
Locale	Midtown Manhattan
Coordinates	40.768, 73.982, type:landmark_region:US-NY
Line	IND Eighth Avenue Line, IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line
Service	Eighth Ave: A, B, C, D, Broadway: 1, 2
Structure	Underground
Platform	4 island platforms (2 on each line)
Tracks	8 (4 on each line)
Depth	45 feet (14 m) (IND)
Code	163 (IND), 301 (IRT)
Opened	27 October 1904 (IRT), 10 September 1932 (IND)
Passengers	19,195,793 (2023)
Pass year	2023
Pass rank	8 out of 423
Other services header	Former services
Other services	IRT: 3, 9

59th Street–Columbus Circle station is a major interchange station on the New York City Subway located at the intersection of Eighth Avenue, Broadway, and Central Park South in Midtown Manhattan. It is served by the trains on the IND Eighth Avenue Line and the trains on the IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line. The station is a key transportation hub beneath the landmark Columbus Circle and provides direct access to Central Park, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and numerous commercial and cultural destinations.

History

The original part of the station opened on October 27, 1904, as part of the Interborough Rapid Transit Company's (IRT) first subway line, which ran from City Hall to 145th Street. This station, on the IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line, was constructed using the cut-and-cover method. The Independent Subway System (IND) station on the IND Eighth Avenue Line opened later on September 10, 1932, as part of the city-owned system's major expansion, creating the modern interchange. Major renovations occurred in the 1990s and 2000s, including the addition of ADA-compliant elevators and a new mezzanine. The station complex is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line original subway system.

Station layout

The station consists of two separate, stacked complexes connected by passageways. The upper level serves the IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line with two island platforms and four tracks, located approximately 20 feet below street level. The lower level serves the IND Eighth Avenue Line with two island platforms and four tracks, situated about 45 feet deep, constructed using deep-bore tunneling methods. A large central mezzanine provides fare control and connects to multiple entrances around Columbus Circle, including those at the Time Warner Center (now Deutsche Bank Center), the Museum of Arts and Design, and the Central Park entrance at Merchant's Gate. The design features elements from both the original IRT and the IND, with renovations incorporating modern finishes.

Subway services

The station is served by the trains on the IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line and the trains on the IND Eighth Avenue Line. The train provides local service, while the train provides express service during daytime hours. On the IND side, the and trains provide express service, and the and trains provide local service. This configuration makes it a critical transfer point between the West Side and Upper Manhattan, The Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens.

Bus connections

The station is a major hub for MTA Regional Bus Operations. Nearby bus stops serve routes including the M5, M7, M10, M20, M31, M57, M66, and M104 local buses. It also connects to Select Bus Service routes like the M60 to LaGuardia Airport and serves as a stop for Coach USA's ShortLine buses to New Jersey and Rockland County.

In popular culture

The station and Columbus Circle have appeared in numerous films and television shows, often representing the bustling heart of New York City. It features prominently in the opening credits of the television series Law & Order and has been used as a filming location for movies like *The French Connection*, Ghostbusters II, and *John Wick*. The station's distinctive tiling and architecture are recognizable backdrops. It is also referenced in literature, including novels by Tom Wolfe and Paul Auster.

Nearby points of interest

The station provides direct access to some of Manhattan's most significant landmarks. These include the southern entrance to Central Park at Merchant's Gate, the Time Warner Center (Deutsche Bank Center) which houses Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Museum of Arts and Design, and the Trump International Hotel and Tower. It is also within walking distance of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the *Columbus Circle* monument, the New-York Historical Society, and the Art Students League of New York. The area is a major commercial district with The Shops at Columbus Circle, Whole Foods Market, and corporate offices for WarnerMedia and Related Companies.

Category:New York City Subway stations in Manhattan Category:Railway stations in the United States opened in 1904 Category:Columbus Circle