East 105th Street

East 105th Street sits at the far end of the L train's Brooklyn run, in the stretch between New Lots Avenue and the Canarsie-Rockaway Parkway terminal. This part of Brooklyn, near the East New York and Starrett City border, is a world away from the L train's trendy Williamsburg image further west, and the elevated station here reflects the neighbourhood's quieter, more residential character.

The station serves the Spring Creek and Starrett City area, best known for the large Gateway Center retail complex and the Spring Creek Towers housing development nearby. It is not a tourist stop, but a genuine local station that residents rely on daily for the ride into Manhattan or out to the last stop at Canarsie.

Station Overview

East 105th Street opened in 1906 and sits in Zone 1 in Brooklyn, near the East New York and Starrett City area. Only the L train stops here. The station is elevated above the street, and is listed as accessible, with toilets and a staffed information point among its facilities.

Lines and Connectivity

The L train runs in both directions from East 105th Street. Heading west, it continues toward New Lots Avenue, then on through East New York, Bushwick and Williamsburg before crossing under the East River into Manhattan, terminating at 8th Avenue in Chelsea. Heading east, it is just one more stop to Canarsie-Rockaway Parkway, the end of the line.

Station Layout and Structure

The station is elevated, with a platform above street level reached by stairs from the sidewalk. It is a simple, single-platform layout typical of the outer stretches of the L line, without the crowds or multiple exits found at the busier Manhattan and Williamsburg stations on the same route.

Accessibility

East 105th Street is listed as an accessible station, with elevators connecting street level to the elevated platform. As with any station on the system, it is worth checking the MTA's current elevator status before travelling if step-free access is essential to your trip.

Travel Tips

• This is one of the quieter stops on the L line, so trains can feel less crowded here than in Williamsburg or Manhattan.
• The Gateway Center shopping complex nearby has a wide range of big-box retail stores if you need supplies.
• If you are headed into Manhattan, settle in. The ride from here to 8th Avenue takes around 45 minutes to an hour depending on the time of day.
• Overnight service on the L runs less frequently, so check train times in advance if you are travelling late.

Nearby Attractions

Gateway Center - a short walk away. A large shopping complex with big-box retailers, chain restaurants and a movie theatre, one of the main commercial hubs in this part of Brooklyn.

Spring Creek Towers (Starrett City) - nearby. One of the largest residential developments in the United States, a defining feature of the local skyline.

Fresh Creek Nature Preserve - a short distance away. A patch of wetland and marsh habitat along Jamaica Bay, offering a quiet, undeveloped contrast to the surrounding retail and housing.

Timings and Best Time to Travel

The L train runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week at East 105th Street, though overnight service is noticeably less frequent than during the day. Weekday rush hours bring commuters heading toward Manhattan, but this end of the line is generally far less crowded than the Williamsburg or 14th Street stretch. Midday and early evening tend to be the calmest times to travel here.