Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Check Out The Beautifully Restored East 180th Street 2/5 Station In The Bronx
By
Aaron Marks
Published Mar 15, 2013
Modified Mar 15, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
MTA
View all 10
By
Aaron Marks
Published Mar 15, 2013
Modified Mar 15, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
While most of the subway stations we use on a regular basis are nothing more than subterranean whirlpools of shame and desperation, a some lucky straphangers in the Bronx are about to start enjoying a veritable cathedral to commuting. Today the MTA unveils a completely renovated East 180th Street 2/5 Station. With this 2 year, $66.5-million dollar project completed, the station is now fully handicap-accessible, and fully face-lifted!
Located at the southern tip of Bronx Park, the 100-year-old station services both the Bronx Botanical Garden and Bronx Zoo and sees over 2-million riders annually. The renovations give the station a significant cosmetic update, including new mosaic tiles, a large timepiece, and restored platforms, mezzanines and windows.
"The building was designed with arches and balconies that give it the distinct look of an Italian villa," said the MTA in a press release today. "On the exterior is a restored plaque topped with the head of Mercury, the Roman god of transportation."
Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, the building formerly served as the administration office for the old New York, Westchester and Boston Railway system. The terminal once connected the Bronx with White Plains and Port Chester. In 1940, NYC took ownership of the Bronx portion of the line and tied it into the IRT.
"This station is certainly one of the oldest in the Bronx, but also one of the oldest and most vital in the entire city,” said City Council Member James Vacca. “Not only do these renovations now include full accessibility to handicapped straphangers with a ramp and elevator, but it has given a beautiful facelift to a station that has been serving our city for over 100 years.”
So chin chin all around for Bronx residents and tourists headed to the beautiful Bronx Zoo and Botanical Garden. As for the rest of us, we'll be waiting around three years while the MTA restores this moldy, gutted station that looks straight out of a nightmare.
Tagged
2 train
5 train
bronx
MTA
original
Aaron Marks
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NJ Gov. Sherrill: Election is secure, noncitizens taken off voter rolls
The governor made the comments in the October edition of "Ask Governor Sherrill" on WNYC.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Published Oct 27, 2026 at 7:42 p.m. ET
Modified Oct 27, 2026 at 11:14 p.m. ET
Ex-NYPD officer again faces murder charge in George Washington Bridge shooting
The charge against him was upgraded following an “extensive investigation,” the DA’s office said.
By
Samantha Max
News
Ex-NYPD officer again faces murder charge in George Washington Bridge shooting
The charge against him was upgraded following an “extensive investigation,” the DA’s office said.
By
Samantha Max
Former NYC buildings boss helped reopen mayor's favored restaurant despite health violations
By
David Brand
1 killed, 4 others injured at Elizabeth, NJ vigil shooting
By
Catalina Gonella
Police arrest man in Queens stabbings that ended with officer shooting woman
By
Ryan Kost
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .