MTA Substation 13

 production, electrical substation

4-story Beaux-Arts commercial building completed in 1904. Designed by Van Vleck & Hunter for the Interborough Rapid Transit Company, it supplies power to various subway lines, with the original equipment remaining in operation until 1999, when the old Westinghouse rotary converters were switched to the new modern solid state rectifiers located upstairs.

The facade is clad in limestone and red brick. The tall base is rusticated, with two large segmental-arches containing bronze doors. In between is a rectangular opening with metal louvers. The mid-section of the building is clad in brick, with two bays of tripartite windows at the end bays. Both bays are slightly recessed, with limestone borders that curve inward. The tripartite windows at the 2nd & 3rd floors have dark reddish-brown iron paneled pilasters and spandrels with small cartouches and foliate ornament in the center panels. Some of the glass panes are replaced with metal louvers. Above the 3rd-floor windows are limestone lintels with elaborately carved leaves and vines, and larger stone cartouches. In between these bays is a smaller rectangular windows at both floors, with stone sills and lintels.

The top floor is set off by a projecting band course, and is clad in brick, with five bays of windows in limestone surrounds with rounded upper corners and keystones. Around each bay are large scrolled brackets carrying a modillioned stone roof cornice.