In Hollywood, the arrival of a tower crane is the most visible sign yet of work on a new studio complex at 5601 W. Santa Monica Boulevard.

View looking northeast from Santa Monica BoulevardUrbanize LA

Echelon Studios Hollywood, which is being developed as a part of a joint venture between Bardas Investment Group and Bain Capital Real Estate, spans a full city block that was previously developed with a Sears department store. The project, which broke ground earlier this year, will include:

  • 110,000 square feet of production studios and support space;
  • more than 388,000 square feet of offices;
  • over 12,300 square feet of ground-floor restaurant space; and
  • parking for 981 vehicles in two subterranean levels.

View of Echelon Studios from Santa Monica Boulevard and Wilton Place looking northeastBob Hale / Rios

Rios is designing the new development, which will rise up to 93 feet in height along Santa Monica Boulevard, with lower-profile structures facing Virginia Avenue to the north. The contemporary mixed-use complex will have an exterior of plaster cement board siding, perforated metal screens, and glass.

City records also indicate that House & Robertson is part of the project design team.

Completion is expected in 2026.

Rendered view of Echelon Studios looking northwestBob Hale / Rios

Bain Capital and Bardas formed their joint venture in 2019, and have announced plans for more than 1 million square feet of new studio developments. Its next large-scale project is  a $600-million redevelopment which would bring new offices and soundstages to the Television Center complex in Hollywood.

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