Work on the Lexington Avenue Line tunnel between 53rd and 67th Streets had been completed by early 1915, but it could not be opened for at least three years because a connection to the existing IRT at Grand Central–42nd Street was still under construction. In July 1915, the Public Service Commission received the rights to build a subway entrance for the IRT station at Lexington Avenue and 59th Street within the Bloomingdale's flagship store. Although the subway remained unopened, real-estate prices around Lexington Avenue and 59th Street had begun to increase by 1916.
The construction of the Lexington Avenue Line tunnel was delayed due to a connection with the existing IRT at Grand Central–42nd Street being under construction. The Public Service Commission obtained permission to build a subway entrance for the IRT station at Lexington Avenue and 59th Street within Bloomingdale's flagship store, despite the subway remaining unopened. Real estate prices around Lexington Avenue and 59th Street began to rise by 1916.