Rams owner Stan Kroenke will build a film studio next to Sophie Stadium in Inglewood, which will serve as the international broadcasting centre for the 2028 Olympics.
Construction will begin by summer of studios and production facilities that house hundreds of broadcasters around the world who have earned the rights to cover Los Angeles summer games, the Kroenke company said Tuesday.
After the game, the facility known as Hollywood Park Studios is used to make films, television shows and other productions, and will likely host live broadcasts.
The development is part of Hollywood Park, a multi-billion dollar complex built on the site of a former horse racing track, also known as Hollywood Park, which includes stadiums, apartments, theaters, offices, shops and restaurants.
There is a luxurious hotel under construction, with more developments being considered, including grocery stores and clinics.
Kroenke’s organization hopes that attention from the Olympics will boost Hollywood Park Studios’ appeal as a future entertainment production center.
“We hope it’s recognized all over the world,” said Alan Bornstein, who oversees the development of Kroenke’s studio.
The studio is part of Hollywood Park’s master development plan focusing on media, entertainment and technology, according to Bornstein, and is anchored by Sophie Stadium, YouTube Theater and the NFL Media Office Building.
“There is an increasing convergence of media, technology and sports under the concept of entertainment that is currently being distributed across multiple channels,” Bornstein said.
The first phase of Hollywood Park Studios occupies 12 acres and consists of five soundstages, each 18,000 square feet, two of which will be opened to one stage, 36,000 square feet.
The complex features a three-storey 80,000-square-foot office building that supports stage, production and post-production activities. The studio will have a dedicated open base camp where trucks, equipment and actor trailers can be placed, along with parking for 1,100 cars. Future developments will include up to 20 stages and 200,000 square feet of related office space.
Bornstein said the additional stages were built to fit the tenants of the future, and refused to estimate how much the studio complex would cost.
A few years ago, demand for soundstage exceeded supply, but production has been slowing recently, and current needs have diminished.
Rendering of Hollywood Park Studios’ broadcast center and film production facility.
(Gensler)
Last year, the average annual occupancy fell to 63%, indicating further signs of a sustained slowdown in production in Hollywood.
This is a decline since 2023, with an average regional occupancy of 69%. It was a year when a double strike by writers and actors crippled the local production economy for several months.
The expansion into Hollywood-level production facilities is part of Krohnke’s goal to combine sports, entertainment and media from around the world, Bornstein said.
In addition to the Rams, Kroenke is the owner of the Denver Nuggets basketball team, the Colorado Avalanche Hockey team, the Colorado Rapids soccer team, the Colorado Mammoth Lacrosse team and the London-based Premier League soccer team.
Sophie Stadium, which also plays soccer with chargers, will be converted into the largest Olympic swimming area in history during the 2028 match. The opening ceremony of the Olympics with the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games will be held.
Kroenke is a major real estate developer and landlord. The 300-acre Hollywood Park project is one of the largest mixed-use developments under construction in the western United States. The Sofi Stadium alone costs $5 billion in construction.
Last month he also announced plans for the new Rams headquarters on a 100-acre property at Warner Center in Woodland Hills, which includes a residential and retail community aimed at becoming the heart of the San Fernando Valley. It could cost more than the total price at Hollywood Park. This is valued at over $10 billion by external observers.
By creating a second epicenter in Woodland Hills, the Rams can significantly increase the size of their footprint in the Southern California market.
“When you want to do a training facility, you don’t have to be in the middle of everything. Real estate is usually very expensive,” Krohnke told the Times. “We built our identity in the valley with Cal Lutheran. There are a lot of players and families out there. Our experience was really good.”
Construction company Gensler led the design of Warner Center Headquarters and Hollywood Park Studios. Clayco is the studio’s general contractor, with Pacific Edge serving as project manager. The loans were arranged by Guggenheim Investment.
Sam Farmer, a staff writer for the Times, contributed to this report.
Source link