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.

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.

The result is stark International Style design of flat-roofed rectangular volumes with walls of either glass or unornamented stucco, all in dramatic black and white with bright red accents.

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. Programs that were and are taped at Television City include The Carol Burnett Show, All in the Family, and 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.

Enjoy this 1955 period film of CBS Television City, courtesy of Vintage LA.