Westlake/MacArthur Park station
| Company type | Rapid transit station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
Area served | Westlake district, Los Angeles |
Westlake/MacArthur Park station is a subterranean rapid transit stop on the B Line and D Line within the Los Angeles Metro Rail network. Positioned close to the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Alvarado Street in the Westlake district, the station derives its name from both the neighborhood and adjacent MacArthur Park. Unlike typical Metro underground stations that are constructed directly beneath roadways, this platform is situated just south of Wilshire Boulevard, nestled between 7th Street.[1] This configuration made it possible to incorporate a train storage area underneath MacArthur Park, necessitating the temporary drainage of the lake during construction.
Commissioned in 1993 as one of Los Angeles’ initial five subway stations, Westlake/MacArthur Park originally functioned as the western endpoint of the Red Line before subsequent expansions extended service to Wilshire/Western (now part of the D Line) in 1996 and North Hollywood (currently on the B Line) in 2000.
This station caters to a dynamic community predominantly composed of Mexican, Salvadoran, Guatemalan, and Honduran residents, providing a distinct cultural contrast to the urban core found just one stop east at 7th Street/Metro Center.
History
The construction of Westlake/MacArthur Park station was undertaken by the Southern California Rapid Transit District, the forerunner to today’s LA Metro, as a segment of the inaugural minimum operating segment (MOS-1) for the Metro Rail subway. Groundbreaking commenced in September 1986. The initial 4.5-mile line encountered numerous obstacles during development, with this particular station ranked among the most intricate projects.
A specialized storage and turnback track was installed beneath MacArthur Park, which involved fully draining the park’s eight-acre lake to facilitate building a cut-and-cover tunnel featuring a “pocket track” for train operations. Upon completion, crews replenished the lake with approximately 20 million gallons of water over a weeklong period and enhanced park amenities by adding upgraded landscaping, improved lighting, and a new fountain.
These enhancements played a significant role in rejuvenating the neighborhood, encouraging businesses to return after years marked by gang-related issues and drug activity. The MOS-1 section, including Westlake/MacArthur Park station, officially opened in January 1993. Early ridership numbers were modest; however, nearby establishments such as Langer's Deli saw considerable benefits from increased accessibility to downtown commuters. The subway infrastructure and park refurbishments were credited with helping rescue Langer’s from financial difficulties during the 1980s.
For three and a half years following its opening, Westlake/MacArthur Park served as the western terminus until MOS-2A along Wilshire Boulevard was inaugurated in July 1996.
Connections
As of , available connections include:[2][3]
- LADOT DASH: E,[4] serving Pico Union/Echo Park
- Los Angeles Metro Bus: , , , , , Rapid
Parking
A modest surface parking area with 19 spaces is located off South Westlake Avenue, designated for kiss-and-ride users. Additionally, on weekdays, commuters can access approximately 100 more parking spots within the MacArthur Park Apartments garage situated directly across the street.
Station artwork
This station showcases two tile murals created by Francisco Letelier, titled El Sol (The Sun) and La Luna (The Moon), complemented by pieces from artist Therman Statom.
Porcelain murals crafted by Los Angeles-based artist Sonia Romero and produced by Mosaika Art & Design have been honored as one of the nation's top public art installations by Americans for the Arts.
Among the station’s interior decorations is one of thirteen ceramic mosaic murals illustrating Langer's Deli.
In popular culture
The station was featured in the movie Volcano, portrayed as the Red Line subway location where a volcanic eruption triggers an earthquake that causes Train no. 526 to derail.
External links
- ↑ "Westlake/MacArthur Park Connections" (PDF). Metro. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 25, 2012. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
- ↑ "B & D Line Timetable – Connections section" (PDF). Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. September 10, 2023. p. 2. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
- ↑ "Line 93 Timetable" (PDF). Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. June 22, 2025. p. 2. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
- ↑ "DASH Downtown – Map and Schedule" (PDF). Los Angeles Department of Transportation. August 24, 2024. Retrieved January 20, 2025.