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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.

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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.

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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.