Urbahn Architects Complete Renovation of Historic Morgan Avenue Subway Station

Words: Dan Kamys
renovation of the historic Morgan Avenue subway station house

The New York City architectural and planning firm of Urbahn Architects has completed the renovation of the historic Morgan Avenue subway station house for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). Serving the L train line, the Morgan Avenue station house is located on the west side of Bogart Street, at the intersection of Harrison Place, in the East Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. MTA served as project manager as well as structural; civil; and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) engineer for the upgrades. The general contractor was Double M Construction.

Opened on July 14, 1928, as part of an extension of the BMT Canarsie line, the Morgan Avenue station serves the eastern section of the trendy Williamsburg neighborhood. According to Urbahn Associate Nandini Sengupta, LEED AP, “The renovation included replacement of the entire 400-square-foot brick and limestone façade, repairs to the roof, and installation of a new framed entrance with transom windows, exterior LED lighting, and exterior signage.”

The project team installed a new façade that features brick set in a geometrical pattern and a limestone base and apron. The 2,145-square-foot flat concrete slab roof behind a decorative brick coping received a new asphalt membrane waterproofing system. Urbahn also designed renovations to selected sections of the interiors on the mezzanine level, including waterproofing and repairs to wall tiles. In addition, the MTA replaced several structural steel members within the station house.

Restoring the Breath of the Building: The Life-Saving Science Behind Historic Masonry Repairs
July 2026

When I first set out to become a historic preservation and restoration mason, I imagined that most of my trade would involve repairing the effects of old age. Instead, 99 percent of my work is attempting to stabilize and reverse damage caused by recent an

Technical Talks
Read More
Laying the Foundation for the Future: Workforce Development at the Arizona Masonry Council
July 2026

For generations, masonry has been built on a simple but powerful principle: knowledge passed from one set of hands to the next. In Arizona, the Arizona Masonry Council (AMC) is working to ensure that tradition continues by investing in one of the industr

Dawn Rogers
Industry News
Read More
What Mason Contractors Don't Know Is Costing Them Money
July 2026

Most mason contractors can tell you exactly what a job should cost before it starts. Bid labor hours, material takeoffs, and crew rates per square foot. The numbers are on paper, and they look right. What most can't tell you is whether those numbers held

Erin Koets
Build Smart
MAP Partner
Read More
Preserving Masonry Aesthetics with Concealed Lintel Systems
July 2026

Masonry has long been valued for its ability to create buildings with character, permanence, and visual appeal. Features such as arches, deep reveals, corbelling, and decorative brickwork continue to be popular design elements in modern architecture. Howe

Erica Oliveraz
MAP Partner
Read More
Interested in working with us? Learn about and join the Masonry Alliance Program →