Two tower cranes now stand high above The Burbank Studios lot, signaling the start of vertical construction for the Warner Bros. Second Century expansion.

The project, which is being developed by Worthe Real Estate Group and Stockbridge Real Estate Fund, will consist of two mid-rise buildings on a site overlooking the 134 Freeway.  Plans call for roughly 800,000 square feet of office space.

Frank Gehry is designing the buildings, which will stand seven and nine stories in height.  The glass-and-steel buildings are described as resembling icebergs floating adjacent to the freeway, with a punched metal facade facing the studio site of the property.

Construction of the new office complex is expected to occur over roughly three years, with completion anticipated in 2023 - concurrent with the 100th anniversary of Warner Bros.

The Second Century project is the product of a land swap agreement between Worthe, Stockbridge, and AT&T subsidiary Warner Bros., in which the developers will purchase four properties owned by the studio - most notably the 30-acre Warner Bros. Ranch.  All operations from the ranch are to be relocated to The Burbank Studios lot.

This is not the first time that Worthe Real Estate and Gehry have worked together.  The Santa Monica-based firm is also working with the architect on a hotel and residential complex on Ocean Avenue.