The historic Lankershim Arts Center in North Hollywood is undergoing renovations to revamp its theater, improve safety and modernize its infrastructure.

On Friday, Feb. 28, the Los Angeles City Council approved additional funding to keep the multi-phase project moving forward. The arts center, a longtime cultural hub in the North Hollywood Arts District, is set to receive structural repairs and a restored theater space.

City officials said the improvements will help protect the historic landmark and ensure it continues to serve as a creative space for the arts community.

Los Angeles City Councilmember Adrin Nazarian, who represents District 2 including North Hollywood, said in a statement on Monday, March 3, “This 1939 Art Deco building is really one of the jewels of the NoHo Arts District.”

“Not so many years ago, it was in such a state of disrepair it was unfit for community use,” Nazarian added. “Now the facade has been restored and the ground floor has been reborn as a venue for exhibitions, lectures, classes and public meetings. With this funding, we can complete structural repairs to the second floor and restore the upstairs theater space, making the entire building into the vibrant center for the arts that this community deserves.”

Built in 1939 by architect Charles S. Lee for the L.A. Department of Water and Power, the Lankershim Arts Center has long been a fixture in North Hollywood. The building was designated a historic-cultural monument by the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission in 1980, recognizing it as a protected historic landmark.

It was later transformed into an arts facility operated by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. Over the years, the center has housed organizations such as the award-winning Road Theatre Company, Gallery 800, and arts initiatives serving the NoHo Arts District.

Today, people can rent spaces for events, rehearsals or performances and access information about performing arts grants, funding, or commissions for creative projects. It also serves as a venue for classes and exhibitions.

In addition to year-round programming, the center also hosts events such as the Lankershim Lunar Block Party, which celebrates Korean, Vietnamese and Chinese cultures; Empowerment, a March festival honoring women artists and activists; Lankershim Summer Performing Arts Camp, which provides arts training for youth aged 7 to 16; and LankerScream Festival of Fright, a Halloween-themed weekend of performances and microcinema.

Community members have long advocated for improvements.

“This funding supports the Arts, Parks and Beautification Committee’s mission to revitalize the NoHo Arts District and help bring the arts back to the area,” said Jorge Aparicio, chair of the North Hollywood Neighborhood Council’s Arts, Parks, and Beautification Committee.

He said the renovations come at a time when the local art community is working to recover from  challenges including the pandemic, the impact of the writers’ strike and wildfires in the region.

“To support and uplift our artists with opportunities while giving our community a space to experience cinema and performing arts in a dedicated space is important to our neighborhood and our culture,” Aparicio said.

The renovation, launched in 2022, is unfolding in three phases.

The first phase was finished in July 2023 and cost $600,000, focusing on fire safety upgrades, new lighting, and repairing heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC). Crews restored the building’s original storefront windows and inspected structural issues for the next phase.

The second phase is underway and is expected to be done by July, focused on fixing structural damage, especially on the east exterior wall and parapet.

The original budget for this phase was $800,000, but unexpected structural problems increased the cost to $2.4 million, according to a city staff report. Work includes reinforcing the walls, adding support beams and repairing concrete damage.

The third phase will focus on restoring the theater and making the building more environmentally friendly, including new seating, lighting, sound systems and backstage improvements. Crews will also install solar panels, upgrade the HVAC system and improve energy efficiency. This phase is estimated to cost $5 million and is anticipated to be completed by January 2028.