This is the typical New York subway entrance. These photos were
taken at 14th Street and Seventh Avenue. Most entrances are this width.
Especially busy stations on wide sidewalks can have double-width entrances,
and depending on the area, may appear positioned against the curb rather
than against a storefront.
One block down, at Eighth Avenue, is the recently rebuilt station for the A,C,E, and L trains. Primary differences are the stainless steel handrails and new tilework along the walls, along with the different paint job.
Of note are the illuminated globes mounted on posts around the entrance. Green indicates a 24-hour entrance. Red is a part-time or exit-only staircase. Secondary entrances are often found classified this way.