53rd Street station (BMT Fourth Avenue Line)

the demolished station serving the IRT Third Avenue Line in Manhattan

New York City Subway station in Brooklyn
As part of negotiations between New York City, the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company (BRT), and the Interborough Rapid Transit Company for the expansion of the city's transit network, the line was leased to a subsidiary of the BRT. The agreement, known as Contract 4 of the Dual Contracts, was signed on March 19, 1913. The line's opening was marked with a competition between two trains heading from Chambers Street station in Manhattan to the Coney Island station, one heading via the West End Line and the other via the Sea Beach Line; the latter got to Coney Island first. despite being technically complete, since the stations were being used by a contractor to haul dirt out. The stations opened on September 22, 1915.

On June 27, 1922, the New York State Transit Commission commissioned its engineers to examine platform lengthening plans for 23 stations on the lines of the Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation (BMT), the successor to the BRT, to accommodate eight car trains. As part of the project, 53rd Street's platforms would have been lengthened from to Though the Transit Commission ordered the BMT to lengthen these platforms in September 1923, progress on the extensions did not occur until February 16, 1925, when the New York City Board of Transportation (NYCBOT) commissioned its engineers to examine platform lengthening plans for this and eleven other stations along the Fourth Avenue Line. It estimated the project would cost $633,000 (633000.0 in 1925 is equivalent to about <calculated amount> in recent years). The NYCBOT received bids for the project on February 25, 1926. The contract was awarded to the Corson Construction Company for $345,021 (345021.0 in 1926 is equivalent to about <calculated amount> in recent years). The extensions opened on August 1, 1927.

As part of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's 2015–2019 Capital Program, the station, along with thirty other New York City Subway stations, were scheduled to undergo a complete overhaul as part of the Enhanced Station Initiative. Updates were to include cellular service, Wi Fi, USB charging stations, interactive service advisories and maps, improved signage, and improved station lighting. From January to May 2016, Grimshaw Architects worked on a design for the station's renovation, with Arup Group acting as a consultant. Citnalta Forte Joint Venture was selected to renovate the three stations under a $72 million design–build contract, the first such contract in the subway system's history. The station was closed on March 27, 2017, for these renovations, and reopened on September 8, 2017, ahead of schedule.

This underground station has four tracks and two side platforms. The R stops here at all times; some rush hour W trains stop here in the peak direction; and the N stops here during late nights, but uses the center express tracks to bypass the station during daytime hours. The station is between to the north and to the south. Columns run along the entire length of both platforms and are painted black. Every other column has a "53 Street" sign on it in black with white text. All are rounded except for the ones near the two staircases to the station's main entrance, which was where the platforms were extended in 1970. During the 2017 renovation, the cinderblock tiles were refurbished and colored white with small recesses containing black tiles. ADA compliant platform treads and a granite tiled floor, as well as indirect lighting atop the station wall, which was relocated from above the platform edge, were installed. The 2017 artwork at this station consists of nature inspired mosaics by Brooklyn based artist Mickalene Thomas. The one by the staircases to the southbound platform displays "Ft. Hamilton & Coney Island" while the one by the Manhattan bound platform staircases displays "Down Town Trains." The southbound platform has an additional entrance near the north end. Two platform level turnstiles lead to a small landing before a three flight staircase goes up to 52nd Street and Fourth Avenue. Prior to the 2017 renovation, the entrance was exit only. The landing area contained the original 1915 trim band with a single "53" tiled on it prior to the renovation of the station.