Metro approves 1,500-unit mixed-use housing development at North Hollywood Station

A proposed 11.8-acre mixed-use development at Metro’s North Hollywood Station will move forward — bringing more than 1,500 new housing units and bolster access to transit to the area, officials announced Thursday.

During its September meeting, Metro’s Board of Directors instructed staff to enter what is known as a joint development agreement with developer NOHO Development Associates, an affiliate of Trammell Crow Company and High Street Residential. Together, the entities will build the project called District NoHo.

Of the approximately 1,500 units to come online, 311 will be reserved for individuals and families earning less than 60% of the median income for Los Angeles County. In the first phase of the project, about 570 mixed-income apartments will be built, with 5% reserved for moderate-income households earning 80% to 120% of median income.

Additionally, the project will allow 105,125 square feet of retail and restaurant space, and 580,374 square feet of office space — for a total of 2,209,027 square feet of new floor area.

The board also approved its “findings of fact,” documents explaining the land-use decision for the parcel of land, which Metro described as a “key step” to comply with state environmental law.

“We have to get creative if we’re going to build the housing we need in LA County, and District NoHo is an ambitious model of how we can maximize the space around our stations,” LA County Supervisor and Metro Board Chair Janice Hahn said in a statement.

“This is not only going to provide hundreds of new affordable homes for people, it’s also going to give them direct access to our Metro rail system with a station right downstairs,” Hahn added. “It may be the biggest effort like this so far along Metro, but it will not be the last.”

Metro previously announced a commitment to build 10,000 housing units in Los Angeles County by 2031. Joint development projects are real estate partnerships between the transit agency and private developers to build on Metro-owned property to create more housing and increase access to transit options.

According to the agency, its joint development program has resulted in 2,362 housing units to date with another 3,387 additional in the pipeline.

“Metro has a strong interest in ensuring the people who ride public transportation can afford to live near it,” Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins said in a statement. “By directly linking Metro’s network to housing, employment, retail and commercial opportunities. Metro expects to continue to grow transit ridership.”

Before construction moves forward, the transit agency is expected to make improvements to its NoHo Station with a new entrance to the B (Red) Line subway on the west side of Lankershim Boulevard, and improvements to its G (Orange) Line busway terminus. New internal streets and walkways will be added to break up the project site.

Earlier this year, the city of Los Angeles approved a public benefits agreement with the developer, as well as authorized a sign district to allow digital advertising on and in the vicinity of the project.

As part of this agreement, the developers will provide several community benefits in exchange for planning entitlements, such as ensuring affordable units are built, as well as plans for an art gallery, an off-site bicycle facility, public art, community events and programming and historical plaques.

There are also plans to create an open space — which may look like a new park, plazas, or the addition of walkway or bicycle paths.

“District NoHo is uniquely situated, directly atop the North Hollywood Metro station, the major junction of the B Line subway, G Line Bus Rapid Transit and over 15 municipal bus lines,” Los Angeles City Councilman and Metro Director Paul Krekorian said in a statement.

Krekorian, who represents the Second Council District, encompassing North Hollywood and other East San Fernando Valley neighborhoods, added the project will transform the site into a community gathering space, and provide housing and retail space “literally steps away from transit.”

Krekorian’s office previously estimated the project would generate approximately $1.1 billion annually in new revenues for L.A.

The City Council previously approved the proposed development in December 2023.