Upgrading a historic studio lot

When Radford Studio Center first opened its doors as Mack Sennett Studios in 1928, it was a cutting-edge facility and one of the first studios in San Fernando Valley. Over the decades, it has been home to many iconic motion pictures and television shows, including “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “Gilligan’s Island,” “Seinfeld,” and “Will & Grace,” among others. However, following decades of ad hoc expansion and under-investment—issues compounded by the lack of a guiding framework for development—the dated studios no longer meet the needs of contemporary film and television production.

Modernizing this legendary studio continues the dynamic collaboration between the world’s largest film and television studio owner, operator, developer and production services provider and SOM. The newly proposed plan will establish a clear and cohesive set of principles and guidelines for a state-of-the-art modernization of its production facilities, with larger sound stages and media offices, while improvements to the surrounding public realm will benefit both users and the wider community.

A greener and more connected campus

The 55-acre site is bounded by Radford Avenue, Ventura Boulevard, and the Tujunga Wash—a tributary of the L.A. River, which itself bisects the campus. In keeping with the L.A. River Master Plan, the proposed plan will make the campus’s extensive waterway frontage accessible to the public by bridging over the Tujunga Wash to create a continuous bicycle and pedestrian path along the river.

Additionally, sustainability is interwoven into all aspects of the reimagined Radford Studios Center, from green building standards and water-conservation measures to responsibly-sourced building materials, solar panels, EV charging stations, and a mobility hub. Alongside improvements to access and circulation in and around the campus, enhancements to the public realm will benefit not only the user base of content creators but also local businesses and the surrounding communities.