The station is located over the private right-of-way of the defunct New York and Coney Island Railroad north of Surf Avenue, running easterly from West 8th Street.

In September 1954, the NYCTA announced that it would build a 700 feet (210 m)-long overpass connecting the station with the then proposed New York Aquarium.

[4] In 2002, it was announced that West Eighth Street would be one of ten subway stations citywide to receive renovations.

[5] The station was closed in August 2002 in conjunction with the reconstruction of the Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue terminal,[6] and service was restored on May 23, 2004.

A crosswalk and widened sidewalks replaced the bridge, which was built when the New York Aquarium was first opened at that location.

[12] The second one leads to the intersection of West Fifth Street and Brighton Avenue, past the east end of the station.