Hugh J. Grant Circle
1916-17, Squire J. Vickers

Opened in 1920, this elevated station was built as part of the east Bronx extension of the Pelham Bay Park branch of the Lexington Avenue subway. It is located within the Hugh J. Grant Circle, a roundabout that was part of Louis A. Rise's proposal for connecting main thoroughfares. This, in order to adopt a grid street plan during the annexation of East Bronx in 1895. The two-story concrete structure features Art Deco and Neoclassical details, including large rounded street-level openings, projecting corner piers with vertical bands of geometric terra cotta tiles, and decorative bands of polychrome ceramic tile on the façade. The building was designed by Squire J. Vickers, who served as the Design Architect of the New York City Subway System from 1906 to 1942. He was responsible for most of the Dual System and later IND stations, and was known for featuring simple but colorful and creative tile work in his designs. Vickers graduated from Cornell University, and was also a talented painter. Many of his works were translated into mosaic plaques and are displayed throughout the system. The station underwent repairs in the 1960s and 1990s, with major renovations completed in 2010.