IRT City Hall station - ornate closed subway station

The original IRT City Hall station, beneath City Hall, opened in 1904 with Guastavino tilework, skylights, and mosaics and was closed to regular passenger service in 1945 due to its tight curve and short platforms. The station's architectural finishes and vaulted ceilings are frequently noted in accounts of New York City's transit history. The New York Transit Museum and MTA have occasionally arranged special tours of the station for the public and researchers. Its existence and periodic public access have made it a fixture of local lore about hidden city spaces.