New York City mayor John Francis Hylan's original plans for the Independent Subway System (IND), proposed in 1922, included building over 100 miles (160 km) of new lines and taking over nearly 100 miles (160 km) of existing lines.

[4][5] On December 9, 1924, the New York City Board of Transportation (BOT) gave preliminary approval for the construction of the IND Eighth Avenue Line.

[12] A preview event for the new subway was hosted on September 8, 1932, two days before the official opening.

[24] Both platforms lack a trim line, but have mosaic name tablets reading "72ND ST." in white sans-serif lettering on a midnight blue background and black border, as well as small "72" tile captions in white numbering on a black background at regular intervals.

[27] Grey (previously blue) I-beam columns run along the platforms at regular intervals, alternating ones having the standard black station name plate with white lettering.

[28][29] The 2018 artwork at this station is "Sky" by the multimedia artist Yoko Ono, who lived in the Dakota.

[33][34] Blue plywood walls and new tiling with a door[35] on the upper level indicate there was a third exit that led to West 71st Street.

[36][37] Prior to the renovation of the station, further evidence of this exit's existence included directional signs with "71" that were covered or replaced with newer tiling and a fenced off staircase on the lower level.