4. City Hall Station

Photo by Augustin Pasquet

The Interborough Rapid Transit Company built the now abandoned City Hall Subway Station as part of the Manhattan Main Line, the first line of the New York City Subway, which ran from City Hall to 145th Street. City Hall Station, which marked the beginning of the New York City subway when it opened on October 27, 1904, was designed by Rafael Guastavino, who also did the tiling in Grand Central’s whispering gallery as well as work in many other New York City locations.

No subway station can rival the grandeur of the City Hall Station, even in its decomissioned state. It features architectural wonders, such as tiled arches, brass chandeliers, and skylights. However, due to its curved platform, which was not able to accommodate newer, longer cars, the station was ultimately closed in 1945. Today, new subway stations and transit hub renovations showcase exciting new sleek and modern designs, but we’re nostalgic for the Gilded-Age extravagance of City Hall Station. Also read up on 10 Secrets of NYC’s Abandoned City Hall Subway Station and see photos inside.