Like other stations on 53rd street, the 53rd Street - Lexington Avenue station is a really deep one. Look at the sketch and the numbers I wrote down, there are 5+ sections of stairs of 15 steps each that lead you to the E/M tracks - that's more than 3 stories in one run of escalator (and that only brings you to the mezzanine! You'll have to go up one more to reach ground).

Giant Escalator in 53rd Street - Lexington Avenue Station

Sketch of Stair and  Escalator in 53rd Street - Lexington Avenue Station — Sketch of Stair and Escalator in 53rd Street - Lexington Avenue Station

And then I suddenly thought to myself, that looks familiar - that's where the "imrpov everywhere" people did the "high five escalator"!

This is another example of how understanding these circulation spaces in the stations can offer so many interesting opportunities.

And when you reach the top of it, there is a really beautiful, yellow mural on a curvy wall:

Mural at 53rd Street - Lexington Avenue Station

Sketch of Mezzanine Level at 53rd Street - Lexington Avenue Station