April 1, 2023 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Fox Studio Lot Set for Major $1.5 Billion Upgrade That Will Change the Westside’s Skyline

Construction could begin in a few years, following the entitlement process.

By Sam Catanzaro

Fox Studio Lot, one of Hollywood’s most iconic movie factories, is set to undergo a $1.5 billion upgrade that will add new production facilities and change the skyline of Century City. 

Fox Corp., which retained ownership of the lot after Walt Disney Co. purchased most of 21st Century Fox’s entertainment assets in 2019, submitted an amended plan to Los Angeles building officials on Wednesday. The proposal, dubbed “Fox Future,” includes the addition of office towers, soundstages, and other facilities used to make TV shows and movies, reflecting the high demand for stages in the streaming age. The plan would also bring a high-rise more than 30 stories tall on Avenue of the Stars that could be rented to tenants looking for upscale offices in Century City’s thriving market.

“The FOX Studio Lot is one of the most iconic and treasured production locations in the history of entertainment and is a rich part of our history,” said Lachlan Murdoch, Executive Chair and CEO, Fox Corporation. “The FOX FUTURE project represents a long-term commitment to our industry, to our community, and to the City of Los Angeles.”

The project will overhaul the historic Fox Studio Lot, occupying 53 acres of Century City real estate, bounded by Pico Boulevard, Olympic Boulevard, and Avenue of the Stars. Plans call for the construction of nine new soundstages, bringing the total on the lot to 24, as well as production facilities and high-rise offices. Among the most visible changes to the campus are a proposed 24-story media campus, which would be located along the northern side of the lot toward Olympic Boulevard, and a taller 35-story building toward the northeast section of the Fox Studio lot adjacent to Avenue of the Stars, which will function as independent office space. Construction could begin in a few years, following the entitlement process.

The Fox Future plan is expected to generate nearly 8,800 jobs in Los Angeles County and $9 million in annual tax revenues, as well as $20 million in transportation mitigation fees. The plan also includes upgrades to existing facilities on the lot, including a historic preservation plan, seismic retrofits of older buildings, and a renovation of Fox Sports Studio 

According to the Los Angeles Times, just 8.5 percent of Century City office space is currently unleased, less than half the 19 percent for the total Los Angeles market. 

“Century City is one of the world’s most prestigious business districts, and home to global corporations, entertainment giants, and emerging entrepreneurs within steps of premium retail, dining, hotels, and ever improving public transit. In Century City today, particularly along Avenue of the Stars, there are few opportunities for new construction and office occupancy rates remain the among highest in Los Angeles,” Fox Corperation said in a press release. “With Fox Future, FOX could seek a development partner to transform the northeast portion of the Lot along Avenue of the Stars into a world class, state-of-the-art building with 35 floors of office above seven floors of parking. Designed to meet LEED-Platinum standards, it would further activate the Avenue with its new public plaza and provide convenient access to the much-anticipated Metro D-line and allow for both direct connection to the Lot and entirely independent office space. Demonstrating a significant investment in the City’s future, the proposed office building would be designed to attract a notable corporate presence and provide a new headquartering opportunity in Century City.” 

The Fox Lot’s current vision is Fox Corporation’s second attempt at a new master plan in the last decade. Fox began laying the groundwork for what would have been 1.1-million-square-foot overhaul in late 2015, but the years since have seen many changes to Fox, including the sale of many of its assets to Disney and changes in demand for the industry as a whole.

Related Posts

Innovative Trash Interceptor System Withstands Damage During Southern California Storms

March 31, 2023

March 31, 2023

Dutch nonprofit the Ocean Cleanup’s Ballona Creek Trash Interceptor 007 catches thousands of pounds of garbage during recent storms that...

Child Abuse Prosecutor Jonathan Hatami Challenges Incumbent Gascón for LA District Attorney Position

March 30, 2023

March 30, 2023

Hatami, a prosecutor in the Complex Child Abuse Unit at the Hall of Justice in downtown LA, has been vocal...

Firefighters Quickly Extinguish Blaze at Baldwin Hills Apartment Building

March 30, 2023

March 30, 2023

Los Angeles Fire Department responds to three-story structure fire Monday A structure fire broke out on March 28th, 2023, at...

Kroger-Albertsons Mega-Merger Sparks Concerns About Competition and Jobs

March 30, 2023

March 30, 2023

Critics say the proposed merger, which is currently under review by the FTC, would create a monopoly in many areas...

Los Angeles Restaurants, Including Palms Eatery, in Contention for James Beard Foundation Awards

March 29, 2023

March 29, 2023

Niki Nakayama’s n/naka only Westside’s restaurant among the finalists Los Angeles restaurants – including an acclaimed eatery in Palms –...

Readers Overwhelmingly Support Outdoor Dining Survey Shows

March 29, 2023

March 29, 2023

Survey results reveal positive feedback for outdoor dining setups amid municipal ordinance changes Last week we asked readers for their...

Nigerian Chef Tolu “Eros” Erogbogbo Brings Ilé Bistro to Culver City

March 29, 2023

March 29, 2023

Chef Tolu “Eros” Erogbogbo brings his popular underground Nigerian pop-up to Citizen Public Market in Culver City with a new...

Sage Plant Based Bistro & Brewery Closes Culver City Location After 10 Years

March 29, 2023

March 29, 2023

Rising costs and government restrictions prompt shift to pickup and to-go model By Dolores Quintana Sage Plant-Based Bistro & Brewery...

Local Teens Get Hands-On Medical Training at Cedars-Sinai’s Women’s Guild Simulation Center

March 29, 2023

March 29, 2023

Students gain hands-on experience with virtual reality tools, CPR training, and surgical equipment at Cedars-Sinai’s Women’s Guild Simulation Center For...

CCHS Robotics Team Wins LA Regional, Seeks Funds on Way to World Championship

March 28, 2023

March 28, 2023

Team will be headed to an international championship tournament in Houston where their 125-pound inventions will compete for robotics glory...

Elaine Gerety Warner Appointed as Culver City’s New Economic Development Director

March 28, 2023

March 28, 2023

Warner to lead economic recovery and business development efforts for Culver City The City of Culver City has recently announced...

Culver City Council Votes to Reopen Main Street on Weekends

March 28, 2023

March 28, 2023

Council members split over concerns for local businesses and environmental impact During a recent City Council meeting on March 13th,...

Westside Food Bank Struggles to Meet Increased Demand as CalFresh Benefits Expire

March 27, 2023

March 27, 2023

Local food banks urge community support as Southern Californians face heightened food insecurity Local food banks in Southern California are...

Valuations for Office Buildings in L.A. Drop 39%

March 27, 2023

March 27, 2023

Transfer tax and low interest rates contributing to decline in L.A. office sales By Dolores Quintana In the city of...

Erewhon Joins Tenants in Fully Leased $150M Culver Steps Development

March 26, 2023

March 26, 2023

Amazon Studios and a ground-floor retail center, including the celebrity and influencer-favorite Erewhon, anchor the 122,000-square-foot complex By Dolores Quintana...