Amid a reported slump in film and television production, a new $450-million studio is taking shape in Hollywood, with construction well underway on Santa Monica Boulevard. Echelon Studios Hollywood is a venture by real estate developer David Simon, designed to be an old-school movie studio that stacks its traditional features vertically rather than spreading them across a sprawling lot.
Simon, who leads BARDAS Investment Group, conceived the project about five years ago when the demand for soundstages appeared limitless. His vision involved tearing down a former Sears store west of the Hollywood Freeway to build a facility set to open early next year. This optimism stands out at a time when industry news has been consistently grim; FilmLA reported in late July that feature film shoots were down 20% in the second quarter compared to last year, and TV production, once a cornerstone of the local industry, decreased by 30%.
Architect Andrew Wright of RIOS described the design challenge as fitting a 10-acre studio onto a 5-acre site. The result is a labyrinth of five soundstages, offices, set-making mills, and base camp space for production equipment and actor trailers, all connected by ramps, stairways, and elevators. The layout allows different functions to operate independently, meaning visitors can access screening rooms or cafes without passing through active production areas.
One of the most distinctive features is a landscaped collection of bungalows positioned at the top of the building, offering panoramic views of the Hollywood Sign, Griffith Observatory, and downtown Los Angeles. Wright explained that these bungalows, historically coveted as private sanctuaries on traditional studio lots, were essential for capturing the right studio atmosphere. He noted, "We built this neighborhood in the sky based on this extremely Hollywood typology."
An engineering challenge involved soundproofing the soundstages from the adjacent parking facilities, which will accommodate more than 1,000 cars below. Wright highlighted that soundstages are typically "acoustically isolated boxes, and any adjacent vibration is a risk to compromise the building." The solution involves layers of insulation, drywall, and thick concrete to absorb vehicle sounds and vibrations.
Despite the industry's recent “recalibration,” film and television executive Jamie Crosbie, who will head studio operations, believes opportunities are still emerging. He remarked, "I think we’re on the precipice of a real renaissance of creative and economic growth because we need entertainment." Simon also pointed to expanded state tax credits and a pending 20% federal tax credit as factors spurring interest in local production, adding that, "Everybody I talk to in this industry would like nothing more than to stay home and film in L.A."
Simon's BARDAS Investment Group focuses on Hollywood, developing facilities for media and technology. His previous projects include the $420-million redevelopment of the former CBS headquarters into Columbia Square and the $450-million redevelopment of the former Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences headquarters site into On Vine, both during his time at Kilroy Realty. He is also planning a $600-million renovation of Echelon at Television Center, a site once home to Technicolor’s film manufacturing laboratory.
Part of the studio complex facing Santa Monica Boulevard will feature public art by Los Angeles artist Matthew Brandt: a collage of Hollywood skyline images on weathered stainless steel panels. Simon remains confident in Hollywood's enduring appeal, stating, "Hollywood is the greatest brand in the world." Potential tenants are already touring the under-construction studio and discussing lease agreements, betting alongside Simon that Hollywood still has legs.
