The station is located on the southeast corner of Madison Avenue and West 117th Street.

As originally constructed, it included a bus loop adjacent to West 117th Street and a parking lot to the east.

The station has undergone renovation and reconstruction, making it accessible to people with disabilities.

The station was the original western terminus of the CTS Rapid Transit when the west side portion of the line opened on August 14, 1955.

The line was extended 1.84 miles (2.96 km) west to Triskett station on November 15, 1958.