North Hollywood station
| Company type | Transit station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | June 24, 2000 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
Area served | Los Angeles Metro Rail and Busway networks |
| Products | Rapid transit subway services, Bus rapid transit services |
North Hollywood station functions as an integrated rapid transit subway and bus rapid transit (BRT) hub within the Los Angeles Metro Rail and Los Angeles Metro Busway networks. It marks the northwestern endpoint of the B Line subway and serves as the eastern terminus for the G Line BRT corridor. Positioned at the intersection of Lankershim Boulevard and Chandler Boulevard, this station lies in the NoHo Arts District of the North Hollywood area within the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles.
History
The North Hollywood station, constructed as part of MOS-3 (Minimum Operating Segment 3) for the Red Line initiative, began operations on June 24, 2000, following six years of development.
Originally, Metro Rail intended to extend westward from North Hollywood via an at-grade and elevated rail line along the former Pacific Electric/Southern Pacific Burbank Branch right-of-way, which was acquired in 1991. Nevertheless, local opposition prompted legislation in 1991 mandating that any rail infrastructure along this corridor be constructed underground. Additionally, a 1998 ballot measure prohibited using county sales tax revenue to finance subway tunneling due to concerns about fiscal mismanagement.
With rail expansion along this right-of-way rendered unfeasible, Metro pivoted to establishing a busway on the same route despite facing legal challenges from area residents. This bus rapid transit line commenced service on October 29, 2005, terminating at North Hollywood station on its eastern end.
Lankershim Depot
The Lankershim Depot was originally relocated to its present location in 1896 under the name Toluca Depot by the Southern Pacific Railroad. Its primary role was supporting the local agricultural economy, especially fruit shipments, by connecting producers with port facilities. The depot itself is a single-story wooden structure containing both office space and a passenger waiting room.
As one of Southern California’s rare surviving 19th-century wood-frame railroad stations, it provided service for both Southern Pacific and Pacific Electric lines from 1911 until rail operations ended in 1952. Located close to the North Hollywood Metro station, it offers pedestrian access linking the B Line subway and G Line busway through an underground passage.
A restoration project costing $3.6 million was completed in 2016 to upgrade the depot’s facilities to comply with ADA requirements, including installation of handrails and enhanced ramp lighting. Since 2017, this historic building has been converted into a Groundwork coffeehouse, combining preservation efforts with commercial utilization.
Development of surrounding area
Following the station’s inauguration in 2000, several transit-oriented developments have been constructed nearby, encompassing thousands of residential units and commercial offices. Key projects include NoHo Tower—a 15-story residential building located across Lankershim Boulevard—and NoHo Commons, a mixed-use development featuring apartments above retail establishments. Although NoHo Art Wave received approval from transportation authorities in 2007, progress stalled due to economic downturns.
In 2016, a public-private partnership proposal involving the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority emerged to redevelop the 16-acre site surrounding the station. This plan was revitalized in 2023 under the name "District NoHo," which envisions two residential towers rising 20 and 23 stories tall with a total of 1,481 housing units; a separate office tower reaching 21 stories; approximately 60,000 square feet dedicated to retail; and an additional 450,000 square feet allocated for office space. The project represents a collaboration between Trammel Crow Company and LA Metro and is scheduled for phased completion by 2031 directly above the existing station infrastructure. The city granted final approval for these plans in December 2023.
Station configuration
North Hollywood station covers two expansive blocks near the intersection of Lankershim Boulevard and Chandler Boulevard.
The B Line platform, situated beneath Lankershim Boulevard, includes the original entryway located under three distinctive arched canopies known as "Kaleidoscope Dreams." This area also houses a substantial bus plaza along with a park-and-ride facility.
Approximately five years later, the G Line platforms were constructed along Chandler Boulevard west of Lankershim. Initially, passengers had to cross at street level to transfer between the two lines. To enhance transfer convenience, Metro inaugurated a second B Line entrance in August 2016 on the west side of Lankershim, adjacent to the G Line platform.
Transit connections
As of , available connections include:
- Burbank Bus: NoHo-Airport (Orange Route) providing service to Hollywood Burbank Airport
- City of Santa Clarita Transit: Route 757
- Greyhound Lines: Station located two blocks south at 11239 Magnolia Blvd
- LADOT Commuter Express services
- LADOT DASH: North Hollywood route
- Los Angeles Metro Bus routes , , , , , , , , (NoHo-Pasadena Express), and Metro Micro North Hollywood/Burbank
Future developments
Plans designate this station as the terminus for two forthcoming Metro Busway corridors: the North Hollywood to Pasadena Transit Corridor, which will link to the A Line and serve Pasadena, and the North San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor aimed at bolstering east–west transit across the Valley.
Nearby points of interest
The station is conveniently located within walking distance of several notable destinations:
- Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
- Chandler Bikeway, commencing adjacent and extending eastward
- East Valley High School
- El Portal Theatre
- G Line Bikeway, beginning nearby and running westward
- Historic Lankershim Depot
- Idle Hour Cafe
- Laemmle North Hollywood
- Lankershim Arts Center
- Lankershim Elementary School
- NoHo Arts District
- North Hollywood Amelia Earhart Regional Library
- North Hollywood Masonic Temple
- North Hollywood Park
- North Hollywood Post Office
- Phil's Diner