Located at the intersection of 57th Street and Sixth Avenue (Avenue of the Americas) in Manhattan, it is served by the F train at all times and the train during rush hours in the reverse peak direction.

The station was temporarily served by shuttle trains in the 1990s during the 63rd Street Line's reconstruction.

The station was built as part of the Chrystie Street Connection, which expanded train capacity on the Sixth Avenue Line.

[6] The opening of the station was celebrated by a 300-guest lunch on the platform on June 27, which was attended by Deputy Mayor Robert W. Sweet; MTA Chairman William J. Ronan; and Avenue of the Americas Association president Eyssell.

The new station was intended to serve the new residential and commercial developments being built in the immediate area.

[12] When the north side of the Manhattan Bridge was closed for construction from 1986 to 1998 and again from July to December 2001, this station was only served by a shuttle train along Sixth Avenue, which traveled to Grand Street.

[27] In June 2021, Turkish developer Sedesco released plans for a 1,100-foot-tall (340 m) supertall skyscraper at 41-47 West 57th Street, within the nearby Billionaires' Row.

[30] In exchange, Sedesco would receive additional floor area for its skyscraper as part of the MTA's Zoning for Accessibility program.

[35][36] In 2023, a short barrier was installed at the center of the platforms to reduce the probability of passengers being pushed into the tracks.

[44] The station contains a bronze plaque of Colonel John T. O'Neill, a former chief engineer of the New York City Transit Authority.

Attractions to the west include:[49][50] Attractions to the east include: In addition, the New York Hilton Midtown is one block south,[50]: 305  and the Trump Parc and Hotel St. Moritz are one block north.