Architect Breaks Down NYC Subway Stations (Oldest & Newest) | Architectural Digest

[@angiebrite_]

Can confirm: we want a whole series about NYC subway history!

[@J.5.M.]

And subways in general! Soviet era metro stations are unbelievably beautiful

[@Thrillingg]

Yes please! And for those that haven’t been, I highly recommend the NY Transit Museum in Brooklyn.

[@sodapop83]

i agree. when i lived in london my favourite reading was the tube map or a book about its history so i'm interested in the nyc metro too. btw where i live- budapest- was the 1st european city to have a metro in 1896

[@blakemcnamara9105]

I could tell you whatever you need to know.

[@stevehasler8922]

Agreed. I loved the NYC subway the first time I set foot inside, and that was as an out-of-towner in the early eighties, before the "Clean Car Program."

[@sdiamond1998]

Fun fact, you can still see city hall station if you ride the 6 train after its last stop at Brooklyn Bridge City Hall station because it actually travels the curve to turn around and change directions from downtown to uptown. I did it once years ago and it’s like looking at a museum through the glass windows.

[@TechnologicallyTechnical]

Looking at some fairly recent pictures of it now on Google Images, I was honestly expecting it to be in a much worse state of disrepair.

[@nomlasaki]

@@TechnologicallyTechnical I believe that they are actually still regularly maintaining that place, since the MTA museum members can still go on tours in that station on occasions.

[@cmooreHD]

@@nomlasakithis is so cool! Wow!

[@beatm6948]

So is the reason they haven't reopened it just that it would require more maintenance? Cause it seems that there are trains that can run on it. Or is it that the track they take isn't a disembarking track?

[@keef1990]

The track curves here and modern trains are longer so getting on and off became dangerous@@beatm6948

[@fallende]

I’m hereby letting you know that WE WANT MORE OF THESE VIDEOS! ❤

[@MrBenzcdi]

MORE MORE MORE

[@henrythewhite]

Yes please

[@MuMu-co8ic]

Yes Definitely more

[@JawnCoaltrain]

Abandoned/ not in use stations next.

[@rockofeighties]

Here here!

[@sedelstein]

I live in NYC and walk past these beautiful signs, tiles, vaults, and kiosks all the time without paying enough attention. These videos give me a much greater appreciation of the architectural beauty around us. Thank you for posting.

[@Senorjohnsonba]

Your city is a dirty shithole

[@davidvasandani3385]

I could listen to Michael talk about the NY Subway for an hour. Please expand on this video. There’s so much history!

[@zorkmid1083]

Pass. He got too many details wrong in his presentation. Point out the architectural details and leave the lore to the buffs.

[@TheOriginalBiRacialPrince]

@@zorkmid1083 So please provide us with the correct information then.

[@zorkmid1083]

@@TheOriginalBiRacialPrince A couple of examples: he points out both express tracks at Union Square, not the express and local. City Hall was closed, not because trains can't make the turn (they make the turn every day), but because they can't extend the station, and Brooklyn Bridge station is a stone's throw away.

[@GJF118]

@@TheOriginalBiRacialPrince Also, the loudness of the subway isn't due to the fact that it doesn't run on rubber tires. (I'll let someone else explain why, but as an example, the Washington Metro system runs on steel wheels and is much quieter than the subway in New York.)

[@sarahrudkin5031]

Yes, I'd love like a 2 hr documentary deep dive!

[@jenniferadams7582]

I really appreciated the cutaway views that the architect drew out in the video. Very satisfying to see things from that pov

[@kristenmlondon]

That was entirely too short for the amount of knowledge and passion he obviously has. I ride the subway daily. I love it. Please bring him back!

[@stephenm8725]

yes, agreed. I'm also on board for more on the subway in NYC

[@3yebeams]

From this video alone I am a subscriber. No hucksterism - just pure info and history of architecture. Wonderful - this is the best of KZbin. And yes, much more about the NY subway.

[@ELMS]

Michael Wyetzner is just excellent in these videos. I’d love to see him do NYC Art Deco skyscrapers. But thanks for these and please, more Michael!

[@edisonthethird]

He talked about it some in the Chrysler Building episode!

[@moesyah]

I couldn't agree more! Michael Wyetzner is my favorite AD alert 🔔

[@pyrodoll2422]

@@edisonthethird That was the first of these I watched, offered seemingly randomly by the KZbin bot and I instantly subscribed.

[@MrRezRising]

The Hearst building, please.

[@moutie590]

This is a wonderful video that gives the world presence in all the open spaces of everyone

[@corywithout]

All of these NYC architecture breakdowns are fantastic, but I would LOVE more about the subway.

[@Blackandblue200]

Great video!

[@NoNameNo.5]

See Ghostbusters 2

[@sebastianmarquez3014]

Those Urbanist, rail fan youtubers have videos about them. RMTransit has a good one about the New York Subway

[@SysoevFM]

All you need to know about the subway in NYC: don't go in there.

[@nyccouponer]

Yes! Please provide us with a whole series on the NYC Transit system. This was so fun and informative to watch. I love learning new things about my city.

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

One of my two personal favorite NYC Subway stations is 81st Street-Museum of Natural History because of how the tile mosaics incorporate the themes of the museum above like replicating the geological strata of the Earth or into the Ocean with different sea creatures when you take the staircases down, as well as murals of dinosaurs! But the other is Court Street. Not Court Street as in Borough Hall, Court Street as in what's now the NY Transit Museum! THIS Court Street was used for the HH Court Street Shuttle branch service to Hoyt-Schermerhorn. However, because Downtown Brooklyn already had so many stations, not to mention Hoyt-Schermerhorn station was only three blocks away, Court Street didn't see much traffic and thus it was abandoned in June 1946, over a decade later. In 1976 in celebration of the US Bicentennial, it was decided to turn the station into the NY Transit Museum. Originally the plan was it'd be a temporary thing running but because it was so popular, they made it permanent! They even ran nostalgia trips using old rolling stock (which they still do today). Love how they use the station's platforms to display the old rolling stock (with the doors always open; this makes the station count as still functioning as they run trains in and out)

[@sarahzabare7063]

The video was great and the comments enhanced the sense that the construction of the NYC subway system is in many stations an ode to beauty and a wonderful work of love. Kudos to all the unsung heroes who toiled to benefit generations of riders!

[@brianb7423]

It’s funny you mentioned that. I remember taking the subway to go to that museum as a kid and the structure was very cool

[@brianholmes1812]

I love the 81st street station! Its just got such a level of charm to it, it might be my favourite subway station of any city in the world

[@SupremeLeaderKimJong-un]

Something you didn't mention about the old City Hall station, it's still used by the 6 today to turn back around towards the Bronx since it terminates at Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall. If you want to catch a glimpse, you could sneakily stay on the 6 as it turns around instead of getting off at the last stop OR if you want a good look, you can book a tour with the NY Transit Museum by becoming a Transit Museum member. However, because of the station's popularity, tickets for the tours (50 dollars each) sell out FAST and RARELY offered! Our Pyongyang Metro ALSO has chandeliers! In fact, ALL the stations do! Our metro system's first line opened in 1973, a year before Seoul's opened their first. Our system is composed of two lines and a total of 16 stations. For our rolling stock, we've used Berlin U-Bahn cars acquired from the DDR, but we now also use ones made in-house! Because of how deep the system is, it doubles as bomb shelters in case of war.

[@davidmella1174]

16 stations?!!!! Wow, you sure have quite the superior metro. I can't wait to visit!

[@ungabunga7879]

Or if your up for a risk, you can go to the next stop over, wait for the subway to ride past, and sneak your way down the tunnel into city hall station

[@notmyrealname1698]

So wholesome

[@eliyaskiya]

Thank you for the information, this will be very useful. :)

[@arlenesolis024]

I love the history and art of our subways. It has so much information and detail of our city. I would love to see the old city hall station and see if it still there

[@Pepperiffic]

I could watch an hour long video about this! Michael does such a great job making something I normally wouldn't find at all interesting really fascinating!

[@seattlebeard]

Michael Wyetzner is a joy to hear. I can't get enough of him. :o)

[@zulfaandriansyah9380]

4:22 the way he draw the curve is amazing!

[@anitaaltman2025]

Fascinating, please provide more...this remarkable system needs to be more celebrated...life in the city would not be possible without it!

[@shalonsmith3653]

The express tracks are a game changer. I don’t want to stop at every station to get to the stop I need

[@yanelisdoens4600]

More videos like this with mr. Wyetzner please! He has a great hability to talk and explain about architectural details👏

[@nelskuni]

I love this series, and Michael Wyetzner's knowledge and explanations are terrific. Love when he draws the schematics.

[@pauloneufneufneuf]

Vignelli used Akzidenz-Grotesk for the signage. Helvetica came later. There are a few examples of Akzidenz-Grotesk remaining - one on a surface building, and it’s substantial too. Subway/typography geeks will spot the difference, it is a slightly more stylised sans serif.

[@orbitaljunkie]

Speaking of which, highly recommend everyone check out the Massimo Vignelli documentary as it covers much NYC signage -> Design is One: Lella & Massimo Vignelli

[@stickynorth]

More of these videos, please! They are absolutely gems of information about NYC history... Although most of the network feels grim at least it's still one of the most functional in the world running 24/7 to almost every part of the city and you can't beat that kind of mobility for the price...

[@AR11210]

Sometimes I think AD videos can't possibly be more awesome and then Michael does it again! Of course more, thank you for your work :)

[@winstonschwarz1636]

Great stuff mate! This should be on network television.

[@cgimovieman]

I’d love any more videos on public transit in NYC, but another great topic I’d love to see a similar video from AD would be on all of the main bridges connecting Manhattan to other areas. Unless I’ve overlooked that video already.

[@calvinbaII]

Yes! A bridge video would be amazing

[@RingoLoadagain]

That would be great! Also the tunnels, the highways, hell I'm sure Michael could do several videos on Robert Moses and the things he did.

[@johnbusey6529]

Brilliant. These videos are fascinating and so well-produced.

[@TheArmachillo]

I could watch a series of these forever . Please continue to make these!

[@GJF118]

Definitely a vote for more videos about the subway!

[@frederichore1890]

Absolutely stunning! I've travelled on many subway systems including Montreal, Toronto, London, Paris, Sydney, Santiago, Washington, Moscow and yes New York too - but looks are deceptive, and your superb video and historical look back with views of the new stations is absolutely wonderful! I also like how your architectural videos are put together, with the overhead perspective looking at the maps and photos, mixed in with video and newspaper highlights. The beauty of this video is I can actually pause it, to view the detail in the prints and cutaway drawings. Thank you for this masterfully produced show! Let's see many more please! Cheers and thanks! Frederic in Montréal.

[@disastrophi]

This is fascinating, wonderful breakdown. This is what makes KZbin amazing!

[@swtpaige1004]

Yes please! I want to know more! I’ve lived in NYC for 31 years and I’ve always been in awe EVERY TIME I ride the subway! I always make sure to have my guests ride the iconic public transportation whenever they visit NY. I have this goal one day that I will go to the most historic stations and take photos. ❤

[@Wave2680]

Love this video and explanation and all the videos you have done with architect Michael W

[@robertmcglinchey3347]

Très New York-esque! Great vid. It was a few weeks after 911 and my brother recalls how he waited for his friend who sat next to him on the subway for just a few stops. His friend worked in the WTC. They only knew each other each day when they rode the subway together for just a few stops, and then they went about their jobs. So their acquaintance was relatively brief but nearly every day - a few minutes they were always updating each other about their lives. They didn’t even know each others name. Even today my brother hasn’t given up hope assuming his Subway friend just wasn’t taking the subway anymore. Could be! As usual so close to 911 People on the platform were very very sullen as they waited for the train. There was very little to be happy about. Oh, but wait! At the far end of the platform there is spontaneous laughter how - could that be? Then the laughter became closer and closer to where my brother was standing … there was a rat running down on-top of the third rail balanced by a strawberry twizzler held in its mouth as if is if he had a giant red whisker: The little guy continued down the third rail into the darkness of the subway tunnel. So in future videos stories, you can talk to my brother - he’s got a good one about rats. Rats of the subway of New York, New York.

[@AmosAmerica]

Outstanding presentation! Thank you Mr. Wyetzner and AD

[@helenhelen1476]

I loved this video on the NYC subway system. I’d really like to know more about the abandoned stations. Are they open to the public or maintained as museums? More please! Your videos are always fascinating! Thanks.

[@totalwomanja9105]

One in Brooklyn has been made into a museum called New York Transit Museum. It’s a gem.

[@GS-lq2is]

@@totalwomanja9105 A great museum! A gem indeed.

[@helenhelen1476]

I’d so love to visit it! It’s on my bucket list now!

[@missybarbour6885]

You can see the old City Hall station with its vaulted skylights by staying on the 6 train at the current Brooklyn Bridge - City Hall station. It uses the old station as a turn around to go back uptown! Passengers are technically not supposed to stay on, but they rarely bother kicking people off lol

[@jj-if6it]

@@totalwomanja9105 I love train stations and abandoned ones and didn't know about this even though I've been to NY twice. Thanks for the tip

[@batya7]

Love love love this discussion about the NYC Subway's design and history! Love the Subway!

[@081hannah]

I loved it! I would appreciate to know more, thank you.❤

[@bookkeeper141]

Local 28 sheet metal worker here.. I worked on the 7 line extension to Hudson Yards and the 2nd ave line in 2013.

[@JustTiisLeague]

This deserves a series in itself. I’m sure this branches out into so many more stories. 👍🏽 I encourage you to explore this further.

[@loulace8361]

How COOL to see all of the old photos!

[@judyoconnor3502]

I grew up in NYC and worked in Manhattan. I never appreciated the architecture at any station and just wanted to get to my destination in a hurry. It was only after my subway tours in St Petersburgh, Russia that I learned to appreciate what a magnificent attribution NYC subways are.

[@nandocordeiro]

I could listen to him for hours and hours breaking down all these bits of architecture. This is so cool!

[@irinagal6789]

Yes more please . Subway talk and maybe a ride along ? All those lovely things mentioned at the very end !

[@kuravasic]

I absolutely can't wait to see the next video about NYC subway!

[@amiam9503]

I recently visited NYC for the first time and seeing all the different subway stations and their details was certainly a highlight ☺ This video just makes it all that much more interesting!

[@SeverancePay500]

1st time always the best

[@wenxe88]

NYC, what a fantastic city ! these videos are great, please do more. Greetings from Buenos Aires

[@laurameakin]

Loved this video and YES more please! Never been so invested in a video about the New York subway which I’ve never seen before as I live in Scotland 😂 Michael’s depth of knowledge is incredible and he is a brilliant presenter.

[@owenmurphy2022]

Yes! MORE MORE AND MORE videos!! That was very informational!

[@WhyDidIJustEatThat]

The NYC subway will always hold a special place in my heart. It is such a beautiful piece of mega-engineering iterated on for over a century. ♡

[@WawayBelga]

I am satisfied for the explanation sir, everything is in detail, it is nice to be here and supplied of user tripitional

[@Tipazta]

We absolutely want more of these videos please, Arch. Wyetzner's knowledge always makes for interesting videos, keep em coming

[@ideasman88]

Hi Michael. Please give us more videos about this subject. We love it!

[@JoannaLouise200]

Michael Wyetzner certainly knows his subject ~ the historical, social, aesthetic and construction details he draws out of the architecture makes for compulsive watching. I'm a Londoner who has never visited the US or New York, so Michael's detailed videos make for a fascinating binge watch for me. Yes!...many more of these videos please!

[@adamnoble-johnson3855]

Please bring all the videos about the NYC subway that you can think of. This was wonderful.

[@tiffanygreen7061]

As a frequent user of these trains I say hell yes I want another video! This video was so informative and clear thank you!

[@anamarialastiri3493]

yes!!! we want more videos!! also you should consider talking about the subway car interiors evolution

[@kenmorris100]

Hi from the other side of the Pond. I enjoyed your video which concentrated on the architectural aspects of the Subway system rather than the trains. It is very interesting to compare and contrast the NY system with London's Underground. You mentioned the station tiles as a feature these were also used to great effect on the tube lines built by Charles Yerkes bring these over from the USA. Different colour/patterns were used for each station to help users to know recognise the station looking through the small windows of the era. In the opposite direction London Transport from the 1930s, especially during the Charles Holden era, lead the way in station design and more recently in Artworks etc. My many years of experience travelling on the NY subway system is how brutal the stations are together with the plastic seats compared to European systems. You mentioned the signage being introduced London Transport started this in 1933 developing their own typeface and of course the famous Beck Map. Please make some more videos including some on the out of Manhattan stations.

[@vincentgoupil180]

As a kid riding the subway used to try and identify each station by their distinctive wall patterns and signage as the train entered the station ranging from a complete blur to the final stationary stop to see how long it would take. Good to read someone had the sense to use colour even if it was only horizonal color-coded lines similiar to the New York City subway map. See *tnprime* comment twelve comments below from yours. Mo'-dern architecture allows all colours as long as its white :) Pete Beard's KZbin channel 'Unsung Heros of Illustration' intermittently features Underground posters of individual illustrators from advertisements for travel to products. Very very well made presentations. Mostly of the Golden Age of Illustration 1860-1920. Btw, plastic seating was introduced after the weaving of the wicker benches was broken from use or vandalism impaling riders. Cushioned seats were also torn up. NYC subways are designed for the lowest common denominator riders.

[@NatalieKosovich]

Yes! More of these please! Loved it

[@nyc78]

Extremely informative video! You explained in 10 minutes what would take me weeks to try to explain! I’m a native New Yorker and learned so much from this. Excellent work!

[@marcelreiter181]

Your pencil drawings were fantastic to immediately grasp the composition of a station 👌

[@Hollandstation]

As a Dutch person that loves making videos about transport infrastructure, I think that city hall station is incredibly beautiful. it's a shame that it is no longer in use. unfortunately the Dutch metros are not old enough that they have a comparable station. so let's go to new york someday I guess haha

[@3markaw]

I think the Dutch will always have a permanent key to New Amsterdam. Thanks for setting this place off on the right foot.

[@boejiden5851]

If I were you I'd take pride in those clean modern stations. I'm from NY and when I visited the Netherlands I thought I time traveled into the future. The views you get while traveling combined with how quiet the trains are makes it worth the price.

[@orbitingcomic]

You have some really interesting transport architecture in the interior design of the Schiphol airport! I had a long layover there recently, and its interior design and the way its systems function (like no loudspeaker announcements for gates, airport library, museum and piano, etc.) turned that layover into most restful and intellectually fulfilling part of my whole trip, lol.

[@elyenidacevedo1995]

I really like old architecture designs so I agree.

[@G1NZOU]

There's always the London Underground if you want something closer than the US, some of the older stations still look really good, like Baker Street.

[@erikamelo5029]

Amazing video!!! Cant wait for more

[@kyleegoodwin7315]

I would love to see more subway stories. Michael’s knowledge and presentation is wonderful. I love all the videos has has done 😊

[@jimpickard1620]

Thank you for the great show 😊

[@CD318]

You guys ROCK!! SOOO happy to see these types of videos. They're like a Christmas present that I want to keep receiving--bravo!

[@clonetrooper9972]

10:12. r38 J train

[@aware5248]

WE NEED MORE !!!! Love your videos

[@brucetaylor607]

As a subway historian 10 minutes is not enough but you covered so much in little time. Please I must have more. Yes, I'm greedy when it comes to the history of the subway system. The subway is more than just it's rolling stock. Excellent video. Can't wait to see more. 👍

[@jj-if6it]

Just love how he speaks. He explains things really well but it's also really relaxing

[@mudblooddoc]

More please! MUCH more, please! In the meantime, thanks for this tour of one of the City’s greatest of treasures.

[@Dev1nci]

Thanks Michael and AD 😄❤️

[@susananthony2366]

Amazing information and I enjoyed how you present it. It would be interesting to hear how other parts of the country/world influenced and added to not only the subway system but NYC itself. My city visits are so different now that you have share this and other videos about its history. Thank you!

[@MrBenzcdi]

you’re right to call out the presentation. enjoyable and no hang ups

[@davidgreg6989]

I totally agree with you, the artwork, the subway system is fascinating, the architecture is indeed beautiful

[@theJourneynfc]

GREAT again. Thank you Michael. Please AD More of his content!

[@tayne5009]

I’ve just watched this and realised that a lot of this applies to underground rail in other cities. Most recently in Lisbon I saw the tunnel design with central platform on newer stations with older stations being darker and having mosaic tile signs. The Glasgow underground also has a similar glass canopy entrance design. And yes, I’d like more Michael Wyetzner videos. They can be longer as well.

[@KarolaTea]

Fascinating, thank you! Dito to everyone interested in more about the NYC subway!

[@janetsalifeworthliving]

I am absolutely interested in seeing more videos of the subway system. The artwork is wonderful and inspiring. I’ve enjoyed all of the videos pertaining to architecture of each city. Thank you for giving us such informative content.

[@Lucaangelo252]

Hello Janet how are you doing, where are you from?

[@davidgreg6989]

I totally agree with you, the artwork, the subway system is fascinating, the architecture is indeed beautiful

[@amelade]

i love learning NYC history in these videos. architecture is history is architecture.

[@FancyHattt]

Petition to push “ornate and opulent” architecture as a priority again

[@philipkhatana4227]

I'm just being funny but will that allow more or less $ for MTA to mismanage lol

[@markpage5760]

So informative! Yes we want more on NYC Transit!

[@n900video]

Yes, more subway videos, please.

[@steveember8972]

Most informative and lively presentation, full of nuggets any NYC Subway admirer will love and file away. By all means, let us have more!

[@totalwomanja9105]

This video takes me right back to my visit to the New York Transit Museum in Brooklyn, which was once a subway station back in the day. This is amazing content! Viewers,please put said museum on your itinerary when you next visit NY, you’ll like it. ❤

[@davidfrischknecht8261]

There's an annex to the museum at Grand Central Terminal as well.

[@goldenbrick3634]

im intrigued!!! please do more of theses!!!

[@JS-TO]

More subway videos, please!

[@stevelyons1962]

Love to here and see stories about the abandoned stations, and the rest.

[@JoshuaFagan]

While imperfect, the New York City subway system is quite remarkable, especially from an American standpoint. We don't really have any other subway systems in this country of that same size and scale. The New York system really is the flowing lifeblood of the city. I especially admire the ornate, elaborate designs of some of the old subway stations and their mosaics. There's a real sense of history and permanence to some of those stations.

[@ETBrenner]

I always got a kick out of the beaver plaques in Astor Place station. 😀

[@Oceansta]

Absolutely LOVED this video ❤️

[@totalwomanja9105]

More videos about the NYC subway would be greatly appreciated!

[@AJsGreenThumbLLC]

I absolutely want MORE!!

[@hannahdigitals]

I miss the details that came with old designs, minimalism is modern and practical but also a bit boring

[@jakeau]

Michael is fantastic! Thank you.

[@oldunion]

Aw you left out the IND style of the 30's completely, it's "modern aesthetic" and color tile striping system intended to aid new immigrants that might not be able to read english and because color changes occurred at express stops it would subtly let you know when to change to a local. For example, three courses of color with a band on top and bottom: express stop, two courses with a band on top and bottom, local stop. The intention was to be able to tell your new friend going uptown, get off when tile changes to blue (ie A train 59th st ), and switch to local across the track, then ride two stops of blue tile to your destination (C train to 81st st).

[@CatHeadKnows53]

Yes, please - more subway info! This video was fascinating!

[@johnnaeder4244]

More! More! More! You can have a whole channel dedicated to videos like these. Great video.

[@chelseybc]

This is the best video I’ve ever seen!

[@jayanirs]

We want more of theses videos. Thank you very informative!

[@JordanMel]

this is incredible and YES WE WANT MORE

[@MatthewHumm]

This video was super engaging, I want more!!

[@JoeyMejias]

More, please. A whole playlist worth. Thanks.

[@tonirajap4180]

Bring it on!...loved this video.