The Los Angeles City Council has unanimously approved the highly anticipated Television City redevelopment, marking a pivotal moment for this iconic production hub. The $1 billion project, led by Hackman Capital Partners, will transform the historic studio at Beverly Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue into a state-of-the-art media campus, modernizing its facilities while preserving its cultural legacy.
Hackman Capital Partners plans to create 1.7 million square feet of sound stages and production support space, ensuring Television City remains a cornerstone of the Los Angeles entertainment industry. The approved plan mandates at least 150,000 square feet of the property remain dedicated to production purposes, with additional stipulations to prioritize office space for entertainment uses. The redevelopment is expected to generate $5 billion in annual economic output and create approximately 16,600 jobs, from construction to full operation.
Rendering of Television City: Provided by Hackman Capital
Balancing Progress and Preservation
City Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky, representing the district, emphasized the importance of maintaining the site’s historical significance while addressing community concerns. “When CBS put this site up for sale, its future as a production campus was far from certain,” Yaroslavsky stated. “This project balances modernization with the need to protect the character of Beverly-Fairfax.” The council worked with Hackman Capital Partners to reduce the overall project size by 200,000 square feet and allocated an additional 12,000 square feet specifically for production uses.
Hackman Capital Partners also committed $6.4 million in community benefits, including funding for traffic improvements, affordable housing, streetscape upgrades, Pan Pacific Park enhancements, and the creation of a Beverly-Fairfax Business Improvement District.
Community Support and Opposition
The Television City project garnered significant support from local organizations, including the Los Angeles Conservancy, Mid-City West Neighborhood Council, and Park La Brea Residents Association. However, it also faced opposition from groups like Neighbors for Responsible TVC Development, who raised concerns about the project’s scale and its commitment to maintaining production capacity. Critics argue that the minimum 150,000 square feet of dedicated production space represents a significant reduction from the existing facilities and worry that the site could ultimately be repurposed for non-entertainment uses.
Shelley Wagers, co-founder of Neighbors for Responsible TVC Development, voiced skepticism, stating, “Television City already has almost 600,000 square feet of production capacity. Reducing that to 150,000 is not a true investment in the industry.” Despite these concerns, the City Council approved the project, citing its economic and cultural benefits.
A Vision for the Future
Hackman Capital Partners aims to complete the redevelopment by 2028, in time for the Los Angeles Olympic Games. CEO Michael Hackman expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, “We believe in Los Angeles. Our customers want to film here, and we are proud to invest in the city’s entertainment industry. This project will create good-paying jobs and improve the quality of life in the Beverly-Fairfax community.”
With plans to retain the studio’s historic façade and modernize its operations, Television City is poised to remain a vital production hub for decades to come, securing Los Angeles’ status as a global leader in entertainment. While debates over the project’s specifics persist, the council’s approval reflects a commitment to balancing innovation with preservation, ensuring Television City adapts to the future while honoring its storied past.
Rendering of Television City’s Beverly Gate: Provided by Hackman Capital
