THIS forlorn subway entrance, with its rolldown aluminum gate (that I have never seen open) is actually all that remains of the old Pennsylvania Hotel, built in 1919, closed in 2020 and razed in 2023. The hotel was named for the railroad that operated the depot across the street, and slowly sank from preeminence to decrepitude. The gate can be found on West 32nd Street east of 7th avenue; the hotel once towered above it. It’s been an empty patch for two years, as real estate developers and New York State can’t agree on what to do with the space. The entrance features the subways’s standard Unimark black and white signs with the red bullets of the 7th Avenue IRT 1, 2 and 3 trains. Above the sign, you can see a previous generation of subway signage.
Often subway entrances are all that remain of old buildings. Another instance can be found at the entrance to the DeKalb Avenue BMT subway. It was entered through one of the buildings at the SW corner of the Flatbush Avenue Extension and DeKalb that were razed, but the entrance had to be retained and any new building that goes up there will have to retain it. In this Street View you can see that’s just what happened. The same situation may be happening at the old Pennsylvania Hotel.
Check out the ForgottenBook, take a look at the gift shop. As always, “comment…as you see fit.” I earn a small payment when you click on any ad on the site.
5/20/25