Unclear if Apple Will Still Lease Portions Of The Studio
Amazon has announced plans to move into The Culver Studios, one of the most iconic television and movie studios located in Culver City.
Amazon Studios, IMDb, Amazon Video and World Wide Advertising will occupy more than 280,000 RSF, including The Culver Studios Mansion and Bungalows. The announcement was made in an Amazon press release on Monday.
Originally developed by silent movie pioneer Thomas H. Ince, Culver Studios has been home to some of the most famous films and television shows in Hollywood history, including Gone with the Wind and Citizen Kane when RKO owned the studio.
Lucile Ball and Desi Arnaz bought the studio in 1957 and renamed it Desilu. The exterior scenes of Mayberry, the town on the Andy Griffith show were filmed on the studio's backlot in Culver City known as "the Back Forty. The former backlot is now an industrial tract.
Amazon's new Culver City offices will bring space for new jobs in a wide variety of roles including creative, technical, marketing and legal.
"We are very excited about being a part of 100 years of movie and TV history at The Culver Studios," said Albert Cheng, head of Amazon Studios. "Most importantly, this new LA-based office will give us the much needed space for our team to work and grow so we can keep bringing Prime Members the very best in series and movies."
Currently owned by an affiliate of Hackman Capital Partners, Amazon's new office will be located at 9336 West Washington Boulevard in Culver City. Amazon currently employs more than 700 people in Santa Monica, CA and will begin moving into the new office space at the end of this year.
Hackman will begin construction and rehabilitation on the studio early next year with completion scheduled for 2020. The fourteen acre site will contain 7 new buildings and add over 400,000 square feet of office and studio space.
Apple has been eyeing the property for its expansion and relocation plans. It is yet unclear if the Amazon move will preclude the Apple move.
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