This underground station opened on April 9, 1936, and replaced the BMT Fulton Street El.

There is no free crossover or crossunder between the two platforms, due to the shape of the mezzanine's fare control area.

Small tile captions reading "LAFAYETTE" in white lettering on a black background run below the trim line.

Emerald green I-beam columns run along the station mezzanine, but none are present at platform level.

At the west end, there are stairs to all four corners of Fulton Street and South Portland Avenue.