
Place
CBS Television City
Built in 1952, CBS Television City was one of the first and largest complexes built expressly for television production and broadcasting.
Active
In the early 1950s, Los Angeles was just entering the height of its power as the capital of television broadcasting, but intentions to become the capital of television broadcasting were made clear by the construction of Columbia Broadcasting Systems’ (CBS) Television City in 1952.


Place Details
Address
Website
Architects
Style
Decade
Property Type
Community
Overview
In the early 1950s, Los Angeles was just entering the height of its power as the capital of television broadcasting, but its intentions were made clear by the construction of Columbia Broadcasting Systems’ (CBS) Television City in 1952 at the southeast corner of Beverly Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue.
Built on a portion of Rancho San Rafael that once contained an oil field, then a football field and racetrack, Television City was one of the first and largest complexes built expressly for television production and broadcasting. CBS hired the prolific local architecture firm, Pereira & Luckman, to design its new headquarters, which contained soundstages, studios, editing rooms, offices, rehearsal halls, shops, and storage. Among the architects on the Pereira & Luckman project team were acclaimed architects, Gin Wong, James Langenheim, and Charles Stanton. On the interior, flexibility was key: studio walls, and even some exterior walls, could be moved and rearranged to accommodate the needs of specific productions.
The result is a stark International Style design of flat-roofed rectangular volumes with either glass or unornamented stucco walls, all in dramatic black and white with bright red accents.
For more than six decades and counting it has been the portal by which some of America’s most beloved television shows have been produced. From within its modern and custom-designed stages, television broke new ground, from variety/sketch comedy television shows like The Carol Burnett Show to the life of Archie Bunker and the controversial issues of the day in All in the Family. Programs are still filmed at Television City, including The Price Is Right. If you drive by at the right time of day, you’ll see costumed hopefuls waiting in line for their chance to win cash and prizes.
If you are interested in seeing CBS Television City in 1953 and the excitement about its opening, check out this short film narrated by none other than Edward R. Murrow. Courtesy of Vintage LA.
About This Place
About This Place
Thanks to the effort of The Conservancy and in collaboration with Hackman Capital Partners, a refined plan will preserve historic TVC while allowing for significant new development at this legendary studio property: a comprehensive framework for a state-of-the-art modernization will preserve the historic complex and maintain the 430- foot Beverly Boulevard view shed.
In March 2021, Hackman Capital Partners announced plans to reinvest and build new stages and offices throughout the 25-acre property. In June 2018, it was designated a Historic-Cultural Monument (HCM).
This proposed project is still in the early phases of the development and approval process. The Conservancy will remain involved and ultimately be a part of the formal review process regarding the design and materiality of the proposed new construction. The Conservancy’s goal has been to preserve TVC, though not freezing it in time, but kept in a way where new development does not fundamentally harm this conic L.A. landmark.
While The Conservancy supports density and is glad to see reinvestment and job creation, we had serious concerns about where the density was being placed in the initial plan for proposed new construction at CBS Television City and how it would impact the historic studio building. The expansion project at the time included a multi-story building directly on top of the historic landmark. Now, thanks to our efforts, a refined plan is in place to preserve this location’s legacy.

CBS Television City in 1955. Image courtesy Security Pacific National Bank Collection/Los Angeles Public Library | Security Pacific National Bank Collection/Los Angeles Public Library
Get Involved
The City of Los Angeles has released its Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on the TVC 2050 Specific Plan. Public comments are due no later than 4:00 p.m. on Monday, August 29, 2022. You may submit comments to:
Paul Caporaso
City of Los Angeles, Department of City Planning
221 N. Figueroa Street, Suite 1350
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Email: paul.caporaso@lacity.org
Phone: (213) 847-3629
You can submit comments to the City of Los Angeles' Department of City Planning.
Take Action NowInfo, News & More
- “Hackman Announces Draft Plan for Television City,” Larchmont Buzz, April 7, 2021
- “A $1.25-billion overhaul will bring Television City into the streaming era,” Los Angeles Times, March 26, 2021
- “CBS Television City moves closer to receiving historical landmark designation,” Los Angeles Times, May 4, 2018
- “LA Conservancy will try to landmark CBS Television City,” Curbed LA, December 12, 2017
- “Op-Ed Los Angeles should preserve CBS Television City before it’s too late,” Los Angeles Times, December 10, 2017
- “CBS interviewed brokers to sell its Television City campus: sources,” The Real Deal, September 27, 2017