Columbus Circle Station is turning into a shopping center

The Columbus Circle subway station between West 57th and West 58th Streets is getting a serious upgrade—or at least from a shopper’s standpoint.

Last winter, the MTA announced plans to transform it’s labyrinthine tunnels into a 30,000-square-foot retail project coined Turnstyle. In a nutshell, it’s going to be just like Port Authority. Consisting of 30 retail stores from fashion to beauty offerings and even some gourmet food, a few brands have signed on and will be setting up shop in the underground concourse come 2015.

If you’re a fan of eyewear from Specs New York, tech-y accessories from Bluwire and bags and cell phone cases from Studio Manhattan—get excited—according to Crain’s New York, these brands are the first to join the party. FYI: Magnolia bakery is a rumored participant, too.

So, if you’re a frequent traveler and pass by Columbus Circle’s busy subway station regularly, you may want to linger and spend a bit more time there. The station's new upgrade may even make our NYC's coolest subway stations list. Maybe...