Three new LA Metro D Line stations open with art installations
In October 2023, the Los Angeles Metro D Line inaugurated three new underground stations: Wilshire/La Brea, Wilshire/Fairfax, and Wilshire/La Cienega. The project, which began in 2012, involved Johnson Fain Architects, with Gensler refining the design and Stantec overseeing construction. The stations showcase low-iron structural glass, brushed stainless steel, and architectural concrete. Mosaics were crafted by nine artists, including Mariana Castillo Deball and Todd Gray, selected from a pool of 1,400 applicants. Travel durations are 14 minutes from Wilshire/La Brea, 17 minutes from Wilshire/Fairfax, and 21 minutes from Wilshire/La Cienega. This extension is set to facilitate the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games, with future expansions planned for Beverly Hills, Century City, and Westwood.
Key facts
- Three new LA Metro D Line stations opened this month at Wilshire/La Brea, Wilshire/Fairfax, and Wilshire/La Cienega.
- Johnson Fain Architects was hired in 2012 to develop the architectural language; Gensler refined it; Stantec managed construction.
- Stations use low-iron structural glass, brushed stainless steel, and architectural concrete finishes.
- Nine artists created mosaics: Mariana Castillo Deball, Eamon Ore-Giron, Ken Gonzales-Day, Todd Gray, Karl Haendel, Soo Kim, Fran Siegel, Susan Silton, Mark Dean Veca.
- Artists were selected from 1,400 applicants.
- Karl Haendel's work references Franz Kafka's 'Amerika'; Mark Dean Veca's draws on art deco; Todd Gray's honors S. Charles Lee.
- Mayor Karen Bass said the extension breaks down barriers and expands opportunity.
- Travel times: Wilshire/La Brea to Union Station 14 min, Wilshire/Fairfax 17 min, Wilshire/La Cienega 21 min.
- Extension supports 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
- Phase one complete; phase two to Beverly Hills and Century City; phase three to Westwood.
Entities
Artists
- Mariana Castillo Deball
- Eamon Ore-Giron
- Ken Gonzales-Day
- Todd Gray
- Karl Haendel
- Soo Kim
- Fran Siegel
- Susan Silton
- Mark Dean Veca
- S. Charles Lee
- Peter Zumthor
- Weiss/Manfredi
- Woods Bagot
- Grimshaw
- Gruen Associates
- Christopher Hawthorne
- Karen Bass
Institutions
- Los Angeles Metro
- Johnson Fain Architects
- Gensler
- Stantec
- Metro Art
- Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
- Los Angeles Times
- LACMA
- La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
- El Rey Theater
- Korean Cultural Center
- SAG/AFTRA
- UCLA
- FIFA
- International Olympic Committee
Locations
- Los Angeles
- Wilshire/La Brea
- Wilshire/Fairfax
- Wilshire/La Cienega
- Downtown Los Angeles
- Westside
- Beverly Hills
- Century City
- Westwood
- Union Station
- Museum Mile
- Saban Theatre
- LAX
- United States