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The Lankershim Depot in North Hollywood hasn't been open to the public since 1952, but that changed this week with the official grand opening of a Groundwork Coffee location there Friday morning.
The depot was originally constructed in 1896 and was known back then as the Toluca Southern Pacific Train Depot, according to Metro, whose officials joined L.A. councilmember Paul Krekorian and Groundwork Coffee executives for Friday's opening.
The coffee shop itself has been open for a few weeks as part of a soft launch, Metro says. It was previewed on the agency's YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_7Oo3TOx38
Friday's opening is the latest development for the Lankershim Depot since its $3.6 million makeover wrapped up in 2014.
The depot, located near the nexus of Metro’s North Hollywood Orange and Red Line stations, features its original mustard yellow and brown colors as well as the original sign on the roof that reads “Southern Pacific — Pacific Electric Station," according to Metro.
The depot began as a high platform station for loading trains for a local packing plant and cannery industries and farms, according to the Metro. In 1911, the Pacific Electric Company opened its line through North Hollywood. It was incorporated into a dual service station for both the Southern Pacific and the Pacific Electric Red Car until 1952.