Substation #401
Also known as: Old Essex Substation; BMT Substation #2
Why it's listed
Substation #401, also called the Old Essex Substation, is a double-height brick building at 3046 Fulton Street in Brooklyn, beside the elevated BMT Jamaica Line. Construction began in 1901 and it started operating in 1903, converting high-voltage alternating current into the low-voltage direct current used to run trains. It first powered the Brooklyn Heights Railroad, which was absorbed into the BRT by 1904, and later served the BMT. Thomas E. Murray designed it, and its monumental arched portal and banded interior tiling anticipate later subway substations. The facade uses buff and yellow brick, and the interior has a large steel and glass skylight, terra cotta ceiling tiles and an original bridge crane. The rotary converters were removed in the early 1980s after a newer substation took over its work. The building now serves as crew quarters and offices, and water damage has left the facade deteriorated and covered by scaffolding.
Significance in brief: It is significant under Criterion A for transportation, community planning and development, and social history, and under Criterion C for engineering and architectural design. It supplied power to early Brooklyn rail lines and shares design elements with later subway substations, reflecting the influence of designer Thomas E. Murray. Its interior remains largely intact apart from the removed rotary converters, and its central skylight is described as of exceptional quality.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 05000680, listed July 6, 2005. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 3046 Fulton St. bet. Essex St. and Shepherd Ave., Brooklyn |
|---|---|
| County | Brooklyn |
| Listed | July 6, 2005 |
| Reference number | 05000680 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1901-1923 |
| Architect / builder | Murray, Thomas E. (Designer) |
| Architectural style | Late 19th & 20th Century Revivals/Beaux-Arts |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Transportation, Architecture, Engineering, Community Planning and Development, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Decommissioned in the early 1980s; now used as crew quarters and offices (Power Group Zone II Office). The facade is deteriorated by water damage and covered with scaffolding. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.68025, -73.88267 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 05000680.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7632101
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.