The recent news that media titan Viacom is moving its cable networks to Hollywood is truly a big time step forward in the on-going renaissance taking place in our town. The company is taking 180,000 square feet of space and moving their cable networks MTV, Comedy Central, BET and Spike TV to Kilroy Realty's Columbia Square on Sunset Blvd at Gower.
That's right, the original historic CBS complex that once that once housed and broadcast radio shows like Jack Benny and George Burns and Gracie Allen as well as KNX radio and CBS television programs.
David Simon, executive vice president of Kilroy in a recent Los Angeles Times article said, "The decision by one of the giants in the entertainment industry to relocate some of its most popular networks from Santa Monica and Burbank and consolidate them at Columbia Square further demonstrates that office environments matter. This is a bellwether event for both Columbia Square and the ongoing rebirth of Hollywood."
Besides operating from such an iconic location, Viacom will be bringing somewhere in the area of 600 jobs to Hollywood. Many of these people will also relocate to Hollywood and live in the 20 story tower that will be part of the Columbia Square project and will have 200 apartments.
Apartments for employees will also be available at the recently completed 535 unit Eastown complex on Hollywood Blvd. at Argyle adjacent to The Pantages Theatre. Plans are also afoot for more live-work communities at the Hollywood Palladium site and at the Earl Carroll Theatre (Nickelodeon) site on Sunset Blvd.
All within a short walking distance from some terrific restaurants and retailers and the Metro RedLine station at Hollywood & Vine!
Our hats are off for the vision and commitment shown by Kilroy Realty and Viacom. They are showing the way and helping create a spectacular future for Hollywood.