Concourse Yard Substation
Why it's listed
Built in 1933 at 3119 Jerome Avenue in the Kingsbridge section of the Bronx, this substation serves the Concourse Yard, one of four IND subway yards. Its job was to convert high-voltage alternating current bought from Con Edison into the low-voltage direct current that powers the trains through the third rail. The building is a windowless masonry structure, about 50 by 100 feet, with a symmetrical eastern facade of brown brick laid in diamond patterns, a limestone frieze and a monumental portal. Aluminum doors are embossed with geometric motifs, and the limestone surround carries the lettering "City of New York Concourse Yard Substation." Inside, an original Cleveland overhead crane, circuit breaker panels, mercury rectifiers and signal transformers survive, although solid state rectifiers have replaced the rotary converters. The substation was listed for its role in subway transportation and power engineering and for its Art Deco design, and it retains a relatively high degree of integrity.
Significance in brief: The substation is significant for transportation and community planning and development (Criterion A), and for engineering and architecture (Criterion C). It shows how the city-owned IND system converted purchased alternating current into direct current for the trains. Its Art Deco facade is typical of IND substations and hides the building's function.
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 06000013, listed February 9, 2006. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 3119 Jerome Ave., Bronx |
|---|---|
| County | The Bronx |
| Listed | February 9, 2006 |
| Reference number | 06000013 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1933 |
| Architect / builder | Ridgeway, Robert (Engineer) |
| Architectural style | Modern Movement/Art Deco |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Transportation, Architecture, Engineering, Community Planning and Development |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used for rail-related power; much original equipment has been removed and replaced with modern equipment, including solid state rectifiers, though some original equipment remains. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.87498, -73.88890 (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 06000013.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q137189804
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.