LA Metro Red Line Tour - Hollywood & Vine Station

My tour of the LA Metro Red Line continued to the Hollywood and Vine Station.  Yesterday, I posted my photos from the Universal/Studio City Station, and the day before I posted my impressions of the North Hollywood Station.  

Of course, the theme of the Hollywood and Vine Station is movie making.  It's evident as soon as you step off the train, from the celluloid film inspired pattern on the wall tiles, to the film reels covering the ceiling.  

But it also has an "Old Hollywood"/Tropicana feel to the interior of the station.  From the design of the handrailing as sheet music reading the notes to the song “Hooray for Hollywood,” to the two 1930s Paramount film projectors on display, the ambiance is evident.  The pillars are decorated like palm trees straight out of Casablanca, and there's a projection screen at each end of the room painted with flowing curtains like the great movie palaces.  

The tiles on the floor are reminiscent of the "yellow brick road" from Wizard of Oz.  The story told by our tour guide was that they wanted to make the tiles exactly like the yellow brick road, but couldn't obtain the rights in time, so they went with a more impressionistic version. 

Our guide telling us the background of the station

Caitie getting sleepy

 

In contrast to the "Old Hollywood" vibe of the main chamber is the "Pop-Hollywood" feel of the tiles on the walls of the hallways.  The same artist curated the entire station, but Magu Lujan's personal artwork contains pop references such as his anthropomorphic dogs juxtaposed in fantasy scenes referencing fame and culture.

The street level covering the Metro entrance is a beautiful amber show of light that draws attention to the tunnel.  As one exits the station, the spire of the Capitol Records building rises up, and one steps onto the street directly across from the Pantages Theater. 

For more information on the Hollywood and Vine Station, click here.