The intersection of Pelham Parkway and White Plains Road is weird. Honestly, if you grew up in the Bronx, it’s just "the stop," but if you're looking at it from the outside, it’s a bizarre architectural mashup. You’ve got this massive, 400-foot-wide greenbelt—the Pelham Parkway itself—being sliced right through the middle by an elevated subway line that looks like it belongs in a museum.
It actually is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Most people think of the Bronx as a concrete jungle, but standing at Pelham Parkway White Plains Road, you’re basically in the lungs of the borough. It’s the only place in the entire New York City Transit system where a station is built directly over parkland.
The Station That Shouldn't Be There
Back in 1917, when they were building the Dual Contracts extension, there was a big fight. The folks running the parkway didn't want a gritty, steel-and-iron eyesore ruining their "scenic drive" to Pelham Bay Park. The compromise? A station wrapped in concrete.
If you look closely at the Pelham Parkway station today, you’ll notice it’s surprisingly smooth. No exposed rivets or rust-streaked girders like you see at Gun Hill Road or Allerton. They encased the whole thing in concrete and added green tile trim to help it "blend in" with the trees.
It didn't really blend in, of course. It’s a massive, hulking structure. But it’s beautiful in that heavy, civic-duty kind of way.
Inside, there’s this stained glass art called Back to the Garden by Tomie Arai. It’s full of images of plants and animals, which makes sense because you’re a stone’s throw from the Bronx Zoo and the New York Botanical Garden.
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Why the 2 Train is Your Best Friend (and Enemy)
Life here revolves around the 2 train. Occasionally the 5 pops in during rush hour, but the 2 is the heartbeat. It’s a local stop. That means you’re sitting there watching the express 5 fly by on that middle track while you wait for a train that stops every ten blocks.
Transit is why this corner is so loud. It’s not just the trains; it’s the Bx12 Select Bus Service.
The Bx12 is legendary for being one of the busiest bus routes in the city. It’s the cross-town lifeline. If you’re at Pelham Parkway White Plains Road, you’re at the epicenter of people trying to get from the West Bronx to Orchard Beach or City Island.
The sidewalk traffic here is intense.
Where to Eat Without Breaking the Bank
Let’s talk food. The White Plains Road Business Improvement District (BID) covers this area, and they’ve packed over 100 stores into a few blocks.
It’s a mix. You’ve got the corporate giants like Chipotle, Starbucks, and Panda Express right at the intersection—2190 White Plains Road is basically "Corporate Corner." But if you walk half a block toward Lydig Avenue, the vibe flips.
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Lydig is where the real food is.
- Kabad & Curry: Real Indian/Pakistani food that actually has some heat to it.
- La Pentola Pizzeria: A neighborhood staple for a quick slice that doesn't taste like cardboard.
- Gourmet Deli: For when you just need a chopped cheese at 2:00 AM.
The demographics here are wild, too. You’ll hear Albanian, Spanish, Bengali, and Italian all in one breath. The Albanian community here is actually one of the largest in the country. You’ll see the older men sitting on the parkway benches for hours, just talking and watching the cars go by.
The Real Estate Reality Check
Is it expensive? Kinda. But compared to Manhattan or even parts of Queens, it’s a steal.
As of late 2025, the median home price in Pelham Parkway is around $185,000. That sounds crazy low for NYC, right? That’s because the market is dominated by co-ops. You aren't buying a 4-story brownstone; you're buying a one-bedroom in an Art Deco building with a grumpy super.
Rent is a different story. It’s been climbing. We’re looking at median rents hitting over $2,800.
The 2024-2025 push for "safety improvements" by the DOT has been a major talking point. They’ve been adding protected bike lanes and pedestrian islands. Some people love it because crossing White Plains Road used to feel like a game of Frogger. Others hate it because it’s a nightmare for parking.
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What’s Actually Changing in 2026?
If you haven't been here in a while, you’ll notice new stuff. Like the new Head Start center at 2305 White Plains Road. It’s on the ground floor of a new apartment building that’s mostly Section 8. It’s a big deal for the local families who used to have to travel miles for childcare.
Safety is still a mixed bag. The Vision Zero projects have slowed down the cars, but the intersection remains one of the busiest in the Bronx.
You’ve got to be alert.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
- Skip the car: Seriously. Parking near the parkway is a competitive sport. Take the 2 train or the Bx12.
- Walk the Greenway: The Mosholu-Pelham Greenway is right there. If you head west, you’re in the Botanical Garden in ten minutes. Head east, and you’re at the running tracks of Pelham Bay.
- Eat on Lydig: Don't just settle for the McDonald's at the corner. Walk one block south to Lydig Avenue for the local spots.
- Check the 5 schedule: If you're heading to Manhattan during morning rush, the 5 train is a godsend, but it only runs peak-direction here.
Pelham Parkway White Plains Road isn't a "hidden gem"—it's too loud and busy for that. But it's one of the few places left in New York that feels like an actual neighborhood instead of a curated outdoor mall. It’s messy, it’s green, and it’s unapologetically the Bronx.
If you're looking to move here, keep an eye on the co-op boards. They are notoriously picky, but that's what keeps the maintenance fees from skyrocketing. Check the 511NY cameras before you drive through, and maybe grab a coffee at the Starbucks on the corner—it’s one of the few places in the area with consistent Wi-Fi if you need to kill an hour.