Metro Lighting

Berkeley, United States

4.7

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

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Telephone:
+1 510-540-0509
Website:
www.metrolighting.com
Address:
2240 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA, 94702
b/t Allston Way & Bancroft Way
West Berkeley
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Bussiness info

Accepts Credit Cards
Yes

Today

Today –
Local time (Berkeley) –

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

Metro Lighting strives to make the most beautiful sustainable lighting handcrafted in California. We specialize in locally-​built metal and crafted glass decorative lighting. We have many popular items in stock, but we also fabricate to order, so you can get the finishes, dimensions, glass shades, and light sources that best fit your space, style, and values. We have 8 metal finishes, including dark brown patina on brass, oil rubbed bronze, satin and polished nickel. We offer Title 24-​compliant GU24 LED bulbs for most fixtures. Our glassblowers are in Berkeley, Richmond, Oakland, Sonoma, Santa Cruz, and San Luis Obispo.

History

Established in 1993.

After graduating from architecture school, Lawrence Grown took a temporary job that changed his life. While working at Ohmega Salvage (architectural salvage) he rebuilt countless antique lighting fixtures and «caught the lighting bug.» Metro Lighting was founded in his garage to build lighting from salvaged items, to create historically-​inspired new fixtures, and to restore antique lighting. Continually designing new fixtures, the offerings at Metro Lighting have expanded greatly over the years to include contemporary and architectural fixtures, custom commercial fixtures for restaurants, and many varieties of LED lighting.

Meet the Business Owner

Lawrence G.

Business Owner

If you like to support Mom and Pop shops, meet Metro’s mom and pop. Christa and Lawrence are a married couple that met the first day of architecture school at the University of Cincinnati, long, long, ago! They are raising three daughters in Berkeley, and have been very involved at their daughters’ schools. From Nia House Preschool, to Walden Center & School, and at Berkeley High School, they have served on numerous boards and committees, and have hosted many school fundraisers. They also founded the West Berkeley Design Loop, an alliance of locally-​owned home improvement merchants. You’ll find few people more involved in their communities. In fact, Metro Lighting has won numerous awards and honors in light of their efforts in sustainability and community involvement.

Metro Lighting also recommends

Ohmega Salvage

84

reviews

Home Décor

,

Antiques

,

Furniture Stores

Lawrence G. says,

«Great architectural salvage. They have also participated in the West Berkeley Design Loop.»

Omega Lighting & Design

30

reviews

Lighting Fixtures & Equipment

,

Home Décor

Lawrence G. says,

«They are our neighbors and they also offer unique handcrafted lighting. Come to Berkeley and check out both of our businesses!»

Truitt & White Lumber Company

50

reviews

Hardware Stores

Lawrence G. says,

«Sustainable lumber, expert advice, an extensive door and window showroom. T&W has also supported the West Berkeley Design Loop from the start.»

EcoHome Improvement

70

reviews

Flooring

,

Kitchen & Bath

Lawrence G. says,

«Ecohome Improvement has the best offerings in home improvement materials: paints, flooring, cabinetry, countertops, tile, etc.»

Ashby Lumber Company

73

reviews

Hardware Stores

,

Building Supplies

Lawrence G. says,

«Ashby Lumber is an anchor of the West Berkeley Design Loop. Visit them for your next home improvement project. They’ll even cut your lumber to length!»

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20 reviews of Metro Lighting

No registration required
Place rating: 5
Berkeley, CA
I just had an entry chandelier designed and built by Metro Lighting. Lawrence and the whole team there were very helpful. They took my room dimensions and designed and built this ring chandelier with drop edison bulbs to perfection. I am very happy with it!
Place rating: 3
San Francisco, CA
I bought 4 lights with their fixtures from Metro Lighting. They were quite nice, although the one made by their glass guy had more imperfections than you’d expect. Of course some imperfections come with hand-​blown glass, but the edges curve where they shouldn’t and the glass is transparent in spots – not top work. When we went to install the lights, we realized that there were still gas lines in our ceiling and we needed bigger canopies. We called to order new ones and Lawrence told us that we’d get «some discount» for the ones we’d originally purchased. He acknowledges that he said that, but when we went to pick up the new canopies today, there was no discount. The woman who helped us said she would check with Lawrence, who later called us. He decided not to give us any discount at all, which they only told us ONCE WE HAD GIVEN THE CANOPIES BACK. Out of the kindness of our hearts, apparently, we gave them something we paid full-​price for (about $ 700). Some of the people who work here are great and competent, and then there are the others.
Place rating: 5
Petaluma, CA
I can’t say enough good things about Metro Lighting. We underwent a major kitchen remodeling project last year in our circa 1916 home. The kitchen design is a mix of old and new, with vintage-​type details on the cabinetry, a farm house sink, etc. The kitchen island stands as a different piece of furniture in its design and surfaces. This gave us an interesting slate to work with. We fell in love with a particular fixture at Metro for our island pendants, and used this same design in other lights in both the kitchen and an adjacent mudroom but each fixture has different glass globes. In fact, Lawrence sent us to Rejuvenation to look for the globe on the fixture above our sink as I couldn’t find what I wanted at Metro. (And he cheerfully used that globe with his fixture!) We also selected beautiful lighting fixtures for a powder room that was part of the remodeling project. The quality of the lighting is superb, as is the service of Metro. Personally, I think lighting fixtures are a very important design element in a room. I notice them everywhere I go. We couldn’t be happier with our Metro lights. They’re unique, fitting to our new kitchen and adjoining rooms, and almost every guest comments on them. I wouldn’t hesitate to do business with Metro again, and we recommend them to anyone who asks about our beautiful fixtures.
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
Lawrence and staff at Metro Lighting are super stars. If you need to UL list a custom GU-​24 fixture, these guys are your salvation.
I am in the midst of a commercial restaurant project in San Francisco. We have a large custom light installation that requires 20 separate UL listed fixtures. And the city of SF just came in and made us change our standard sockets to GU-​24.
Lawrence figured out a way to UL list the fixtures while maintaining the exact design we had create. Pure magic! If you are interested in seeing his handiwork, come check it out in person… Hogwash on Sutter Street in SF
Place rating: 5
San Rafael, CA
Metro Lighting is a wonderful destination for anyone who enjoys good quality and fantastic design in their lighting needs. I first visited them in 2001, when I purchased a floor lamp (oxidized brass and a beautiful amber glass shade). This lamp has held up incredibly well over the past 13 years and is always noticed by my guests. I recently purchased two desk lamps. Metro has the kind of style I like – inspired, classic design that is elegantly simple and clean. The staff is wonderful and very patient. I will definitely return as my lighting needs increase over time! Be sure to bring some change for the parking meters. Street parking is easy and cheap.
Place rating: 1
San Francisco, CA
Since my review in April, Lawrence, the store’s co-​owner, has contacted me via Unilocal three times. In each message, he asked to speak with me so he could «clear up the misunderstanding» we had.
Prior to posting my review on Unilocal,I gave Lawrence and his co-​owner wife numerous opportunities to fix the problem I brought to their attention and they weren’t interested in addressing my concerns.
I posted my review on Unilocal so the public would know how this store treats customers and does business. There were no «misunderstandings,» only misdeeds.
Place rating: 5
Berkeley, CA
Friendly staff, beautiful showroom (with before and after pictures which I always love) and amazing, customizable, locally-​made light fixtures.
As an architectural designer, I was able to take a hand blown glass design I really liked in their showroom, and have them make a slightly smaller size soas not to overwhelm the reception area of the chiropractic clinic (Village Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Montclair). The glass itself looks like a living thing, not manufactured. And the subtle variation in color tie together the whole wellness center, including the sage green walls, tulip colored floors and black custom concrete countertop over clear maple reception desk.
Not only is the glass beautiful, but the thicker gauged hardware is impressive in itself. Special thanks to Cora for helping me to narrow down my option into an amazingly beautiful success story.
Place rating: 5
El Cerrito, CA
The Metro Lighting Store is a delight to behold and since they moved to their new location which is now their own building and design, it is even better! Christa & Lawrence are friendly and skilled at their business. I have at least 10 light fixtures from their shop spread out between my home and family members. One of the sconces I purchased for outdoors was bumped by a painter and the glass broke. No problem having a new one made to match the other 3 lights in the series. And, I bought the fixture about 5 years ago and it was ready in only 10 days, maybe 2 weeks!
Great customer service and wide selection of interesting and fun light fixtures.
Place rating: 5
Laguna Beach, CA
I went in just looking for a place to buy a lampshade for an odd lamp, and was blown away at how great the store is. They refitted my lamp to hold a proper lampshade and I bought a gorgeous hand blown shade. The service was excellent.
They seem to be almost all glass shades with some fabulous paper ones too.
Place rating: 5
Richmond, CA
I L-​O-​V-​E Metro Lighting.
Bought a bathroom fixture a few years ago at the suggestion of our contractor when the bath was remodeled. After visiting other East Bay lighting places I could not find anything acceptable.
Metro Lighting didn’t have EXACTLY what I was looking for either in their large showroom, so I described what I wanted and they built it for me. They are not inexpensive, but their quality is second to none. Absolutely first-​rate and top-​of-​class. Totally worth the price charged for custom-​built-​to-​order lighting. They also have stock pieces for reasonable prices.
They will install the specific lamp base you require and adjust length as you need it. They have a multitude of art glass shades in many sizes.
Now that our whole house remodel is in progress I have bought 6 more lights from Metro (both exterior and interior). Do yourself a favor and check them out the next time you’re tempted to purchase light fixtures from Home Depot, etc. Personally, I can’t imagine buying lights anywhere else.
I figure I use the lights in my home everyday, my guests see them and Metro Lighting fixtures become a focal point. So why not buy something I can live with and enjoy for years and years.
They are local, husband-​wife owned, locally source materials, own their building, and installed solar for a green business that is an example to others.
Place rating: 5
Berkeley, CA
We found a piece of industrial metal at a salvage place and Metro Lighting did a wonderful job of turning it into a pendant light. Everyone compliments it and asks about it. Lawrence and his assistant Cora immediately understood what we had in mind and came up with a great design. We were given options on different finishes, suggestions on CFLs we could use and offered alternative materials that were more budget friendly. It was fabricated in house. Berkeley is very lucky to have this local business! Many thanks.
Place rating: 5
Berkeley, CA
We are fortunate to have Metro Lighting in Berkeley. It represents timeless beauty and excellent craftsmanship. I have been acquiring lamps from them for over 25 years, since they were in a tiny storefront down the block from their beautiful new, eco-​showroom/​workshop. In the long run, it is less expensive to buy what you will always love and that will last through generations of fans. Most importantly, living with beautiful, well-​made objects enriches your life. Thank you, Lawrence & Christa!
Place rating: 5
Emeryville, CA
hubby and I like this place.
It’s close to our area.
their products are modern and unique.
they make custom lights.
the staff are very helpful when we went to check it out.
they totally know what they’re doing… they even gave us a tour of their shop!
we’re so glad we finally found a local place who has great products!
will definitely be back to purchase our lights
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
Lighting Wonderland. That is where I thought I was the first time I went through the doors of this delightful lighting store. In fact, I went back many times and had much the same feeling each time and several light fixture purchases later. Metro Lighting has a very unique selection of sconces and fixtures for both indoor and outdoor lighting. In my view a great selection perfect for both the traditional bungalow and more modern homes in the area. Customer service was exceptional. The in-​store assistance was professional and friendly. Everything we ordered was ready as promised. Could not be happier.
Place rating: 5
Berkeley, CA
This is THE best lighting showroom in the East Bay, hands down. You think you may have seem similar fixtures cheaper elsewhere, but those fixtures are made overseas, and the quality is well, circumspect. These lights are made right here (literally– take a peak through the showroom’s back window), and the quality is meticulous.
Buying locally made products supports my «green building» ethic (and I admire their commitment — they have a huge solar array on their roof).
And if you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for, the owners and staff will happily help you customize anything there, or conceive of a completely brand new light. They work directly with local custom glass blowers so your light will be unique to you. The brand new showroom has different «rooms» and vignettes to help you visualize the light in your space, as well as different light bulbs (including compact fluorescent) to try in your light. Try doing that online!
As a designer, I appreciate the expert technical and lighting knowledge, and the ability to create new fixtures for my clients. The owners, Christa and Lawrence, are flexible, fun, and easy to work with.
They make the choice to support a local business easy. Oh, and you’ll have a light that fits you, and provides the finishing touch to your space.
Place rating: 5
Emeryville, CA
Whether you’re into eclectic one-​of-​a-​kind art lamps for your loft, classic chandeliers and sconces for your bungalow, or retro diner-​style fixtures for your kitchen, Metro Lighting has something you’ll love. You really can’t find a more lovely selection of top-​quality lighting in the bay area. Most of Metro’s stuff is made right on site, which is pretty cool, and you can even watch them do stuff with torches if you ask nicely :-) The lighting that isn’t made on site is still made by hand by local or regional artisans, so you can feel good about supporting real creative people when you shop.
While you can take home some floor items right away, most lighting at Metro is made to spec, so you can get just the right length and finish for your space. Plus, if you’ve got something really unique in mind the architect-​owners Lawrence and Christa will help you make it real. It takes a few weeks to make stuff, so you may have to plan ahead.
Their new store just south of the old one is great because there are a couple of mini concept rooms that give you an idea of how the lighting might look in a real space. Kind of like IKEA I s’pose… but of course Metro’s lighting is a far cry from IKEA quality (and price!).
I think of a trip to Metro as more field trip than shopping trip… so whether you’re actively in the market for lighting, or just trying to keep your home remodeling dreams alive as you save your pennies, it’s well worth a visit!
Place rating: 5
Berkeley, CA
I’ve been drooling over the gorgeous lights at this friendly, neighborhood, mom and pop store for a long time and finally got some pendants with cast salvaged glass domes when they were moving to their new location. The owners are super dedicated to craftmanship (they personally make the light fixtures and can answer questions on every detail of each piece), being local (they make the light fixtures right there at the back of the store and use mostly local glass artisans for their shades), and ecological (solar-​powered show rooms!). I agree with other reviewers that it was not inexpensive, but I love turning on the lights in my kitchen to enjoy a thing of beauty everyday, and feel good about supporting a local family business.
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
What a fabulous place! Beautiful merchandise, and the owner was extremely helpful and nice to deal with. I’ll be buying about twice what I initially planned, when their stock is replenished. Their merchandise is not inexpensive, but I’ve seen much more expensive lighting elsewhere and nothing I liked as much as what Metro has.
Place rating: 4
Corte Madera, CA
Beautiful, handcrafted quality lighting. It’s displayed well so that you get a good feel for how it will look. But… the ‘style’ choice is very narrow and leans towards art nouveau/​arts and crafts. Some modern but not much. After visiting a few times, nothing seems new, just the same old (great quality) stuff.
Place rating: 5
Berkeley, CA
Beautiful, beautiful selection of lights, with their fixtures paired with a wide variety of gorgeous glass, including shades from Italy, or from the local artisans at Union Glass. This is good stuff, and you’ll have to pay accordingly, but there are sales sometimes.
The staff is friendly, helpful, and surprised me by remembering my name when I came in 5 years after my last order! Wow…