Sunset Bronson Studios
Owner
Sunset Bronson Entertainment Properties, LLC
Architect
Gensler
General/Historic Contractor
Spectra Company
Structural Engineer
Structural Focus
Historic Consultant
Historic Resources Group
Located at 5800 Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, Sunset Bronson Studios, formally the Old Warner Brothers Studio, was first constructed in 1919 as, and remains, a motion picture, radio and television production facility. Warner Bros. acquired the property in the early 1920s, serving as the company’s executive offices and principal studios. The first talking feature film, The Jazz Singer, was filmed at the studio in 1927.
In the mid-1950s, the studio lot was divided between KTLA Television and Paramount Pictures. Gene Autry (KTLA Studios) bought the entire lot in 1963 as the new home of KTLA Television: Golden West Broadcasters. Sunset Bronson was designated as a Historic Cultural Landmark in 1977 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002. The lot was renamed Sunset Bronson Studios after it was purchased by Hudson Capital LLC in 2008. Hudson Pacific Properties later built a 14-story office tower, a parking structure and a 90,000-square-foot production building on site. Netflix now occupies production offices in the tower and also occupies most of the sound studios.
Spectra Company did an extensive restoration of the studio’s main National Register-listed Executive Office Building. Restoration work included the demolition of a non-historic 1970s addition and the restoration of the studio to its period of significance. Repairs were also done to the building foundation and footings while requiring additional steel work. After removal of the 1970s-era addition, work was undertaken to restore the building façade, interior improvements and replicate the missing building features including a missing balcony. The lone remaining 160 foot radio tower that was built in 1925, and moved in 1950, was relocated back to its original location. This project won the Westside Urban Forum Prize Design Award in 2015.
Scope of Work
Decorative Concrete • Facade Rehabilitation • General Contracting • Materials Restoration • Plaster • Selective Demolition/Abatement • Self-Perform • Structural Retrofit • Wood Windows
Awards
West Side Urban Forum 2015
