This station opened just after midnight on November 23, 1904, as part of the IRT's original system. It was completed along with the rest of the IRTLenox Avenue Line, then known as the East Side Subway or East Side Branch, south of 145th Street. Starting on March 2, 1998, the tunnel was reconstructed along with the cracked tunnel floor, and the 116th Street station was closed for a complete renovation. This was done to correct a major water problem that had existed for many years due to the presence of the Harlem Creek and other underground streams, which caused extensive flooding, water damage, and seepage problems that occasionally contributed to severe service disruptions. The project cost $82 million and was finished on October 12, 1998. During the reconstruction, many trains were rerouted via the IRT Lexington Avenue Line, while the trains were rerouted to the 137th Street–City College station on the IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line. Each of the two Lenox Avenue Line tracks were alternately taken out of service and supplemental shuttle bus service connecting to other lines in the area were provided for much of this time.
Station layout
The station has two tracks and two side platforms. It features extensive mosaics featuring Harlem history and famous African-Americans. It was fully renovated as part of the 1998 Lenox Avenue subway reconstruction project. Fare control is at platform level. There are no crossovers or crossunders between the two side platforms to allow free transfer between directions. The reconstruction project gave this station all new wall tiling and restored the "116" terra cotta wall cartouches. It also combatted a major water seepage problem along the Lenox Avenue Line. The artworks here are Minton's Playhouse on the uptown platform, and Movers and Shakers on the downtown platform.
Exits
One stair, NW corner of Lenox Avenue and West 116th Street
One stair, SW corner of Lenox Avenue and West 116th Street
One stair, NE corner of Lenox Avenue and West 116th Street
One stair, SE corner of Lenox Avenue and West 116th Street
