---

 [ NEIGHBORHOOD ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=327)

#  Historic CBS Television City Wins ‘Landmark’ Status … Amid Redevelopment Rumors

NEIGHBORHOOD POLITICS--The Los Angeles City Council has voted to designate the [William Pereira](https://archpaper.com/tag/william-pereira/)-designed CBS Television City complex in Los Angeles as an official city historic-cultural monument, paving the way for the complex to be preserved or adaptively reused as redevelopment talks for the 25-acre site heat up.

Written by Antonio Pacheco on July 05 2018.

 ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2018/054e.png)

<a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"></a><a class="a2a_button_print"></a>[](https://www.addtoany.com/share)

 [Comments](#disqus_thread)

NEIGHBORHOOD POLITICS--The Los Angeles City Council has voted to designate the [William Pereira](https://archpaper.com/tag/william-pereira/)-designed CBS Television City complex in Los Angeles as an official city historic-cultural monument, paving the way for the complex to be preserved or adaptively reused as redevelopment talks for the 25-acre site heat up.

The International Style complex was built in 1952 and features gridded expanses of clear glass set along planar geometries. Designed by the firm [Pereira and Luckman](https://archpaper.com/tag/pereira-luckman/), the complex is among several of the office’s many threatened works, including their [LACMA building](https://archpaper.com/2016/08/new-renderings-revealed-peter-zumthors-lacma-redesign/#gallery-0-slide-0), among [many](https://archpaper.com/2017/06/new-renderings-la-times-mirror-square/#gallery-0-slide-0), [many](https://archpaper.com/2017/10/som-james-corner-pereira-metropolitan-water-district/) [others](https://archpaper.com/2016/12/onni-group-plans-los-angeles-times-complex/), and one of the few to glide toward landmark status in recent years, a surprise given the red-hot development climate in Los Angeles.

The [Los Angeles Conservancy](http://preservation.lacity.org/sites/default/files/Wilshire%20CPA%20Individual%20Resources_2.pdf#page=47) [nominated the complex](http://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-cbs-television-city-historic-landmark-20180504-story.html) for landmarking earlier this year as rumors began to swirl that CBS was interested in redeveloping the complex.

Alan Hess, an architectural historian who wrote the building’s historic nomination on behalf of the Conservancy, told *The Architect’s Newspaper* that “CBS Television City is a true landmark of the electronic age, and a real testament to the design and planning vision of William Pereira and Charles Luckman,” adding, “They built it at the dawn of television, yet it is still in use today for its original purpose. That’s good design. It stands alongside \[Richard\] Neutra’s Lovell House and Skidmore Owings and Merrill’s Crown Zellerbach tower in San Francisco as one of California’s three greatest examples of International Style architecture.”

Hess added that the importance of the structure and its International Style design surpass its use as a television facility, as well, saying, “The International Style was inspired by the straightforward functionalism of factories, and CBS Television City is, in fact, a factory building, not a house or office building. CBS can be congratulated for being a good corporate citizen and supporting this designation.”

The complex came into being as a replacement facility for the [Columbia Square](https://archpaper.com/2017/05/columbia-square/#gallery-0-slide-0) broadcasting facilities located just a few miles away in [Hollywood](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjYv_72mffbAhVkhlQKHbDfBrAQFgg8MAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Farchpaper.com%2Ftag%2Fhollywood%2F&usg=AOvVaw0SgUTTpKZYngUj0r_-cCMC), CBS’s original home designed by William Lescaze in 1938. Columbia Square was restored, reused, and expanded by [Rios Clementi Hale Studios](https://archpaper.com/tag/rios-clementi-hale/) in 2017 as part of a larger project that added a high-rise tower and new office spaces to the site. The award-winning project has been heralded as a marquee approach for preservation-focused adaptive reuse.

A potential project for the Television City site has not been announced.

 *(Antonio Pacheco is West Editor at [The Architect's Newspaper](https://archpaper.com/author/apacheco/) … where this piece originated.)*

*-cw*

[![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/ME%20DENTAL%20SPA/me%20dental%202026%20final.jpg)](http://medentalspa.com/)

 ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/banners/signup-for-cw.png)

## Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays &amp; Thursdays

 Phone

 [ ![LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20level%20pay%205-7-25.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)")

 [ ![Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/HHR/AHF-rent-too-high.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/104 "Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2")

 ---

##  Featured CityWatch Stories

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/bb/062a-bb8ffb47.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33163:4-4-billion-later-inside-the-broken-machinery-of-los-angeles-homelessness-system&catid=312)

### [ $4.4 Billion Later: Inside the Broken Machinery of Los Angeles’ Homelessness System](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33163:4-4-billion-later-inside-the-broken-machinery-of-los-angeles-homelessness-system&catid=312)

THE BOTTOM LINE - When Karen Bass became mayor of Los Angeles in December 2022, she declared a state of emergency on ho…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/fd/064h-fdb0b507.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29355:remembering-ken-draper-citywatch-and-transparency-are-his-legacy&catid=12)

### [Remembering Ken Draper: CityWatch and Transparency Are his Legacy](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29355:remembering-ken-draper-citywatch-and-transparency-are-his-legacy&catid=12)

LA WATCHDOG - Ken Draper, the editor and publisher of CityWatch for more than 20 years, passed away on August 8, 2022…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/0f/061a-0f1ada2f.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33148:brace-yourself-for-a-worse-housing-crisis&catid=398)

### [Brace Yourself For A Worse Housing Crisis](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33148:brace-yourself-for-a-worse-housing-crisis&catid=398)

PLANNING WATCH - The California State Legislature will soon vote on the following draft legislation. Please carefully…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/04/063g-04ad33d5.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33173:netanyahus-challengers-are-selling-the-same-poison&catid=332)

### [Netanyahu’s Challengers Are Selling The Same Poison](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33173:netanyahus-challengers-are-selling-the-same-poison&catid=332)

SPEAKING OUT - One would think that after October 7 and the Gaza war that followed, the leaders from the main oppositio…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/19/062f-19a66144.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33162:prolonged-ignorance-of-a-ticking-bomb-does-not-neutralize-it&catid=9)

### [Prolonged Ignorance Of A Ticking Bomb Does Not Neutralize It](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33162:prolonged-ignorance-of-a-ticking-bomb-does-not-neutralize-it&catid=9)

OP/ED - The recent landslide of chemical leaks, fires and extremely dangerous events have proven, without any doubt, th…

---

##  [ NEIGHBORHOOD ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=327)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/063h.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33172:the-john-erickson-interview-a-practical-progressive-for-ca-24&catid=327)### [The John Erickson Interview: A Practical Progressive for District 24](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33172:the-john-erickson-interview-a-practical-progressive-for-ca-24&catid=327)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2026/060l.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33132:venice-homelessness-committee-recommends-vacancy-tax-to-generate-additional-revenue-for-unhoused-solutions&catid=327)### [Venice Homelessness Committee Recommends Vacancy Tax To Generate Additional Revenue For Unhoused Solutions. ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33132:venice-homelessness-committee-recommends-vacancy-tax-to-generate-additional-revenue-for-unhoused-solutions&catid=327)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2026/059k.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33108:when-burbank-cant-tell-you-what-it-spent-that-isnt-preservation-its-a-blank-check&catid=327)### [When Burbank Can’t Tell You What It Spent, That Isn’t Preservation — It’s A Blank Check](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33108:when-burbank-cant-tell-you-what-it-spent-that-isnt-preservation-its-a-blank-check&catid=327)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2026/059e.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33117:judging-the-effectiveness-of-a-neighborhood-council-an-interview-with-venice-community-officer-clark-brown&catid=327)### [Judging The Effectiveness Of A Neighborhood Council. An Interview With Venice Community Officer Clark Brown. ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33117:judging-the-effectiveness-of-a-neighborhood-council-an-interview-with-venice-community-officer-clark-brown&catid=327)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2026/056o.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33054:water-main-break-floods-west-hollywood-streets-underscores-aging-infrastructure-concerns&catid=327)### [Water Main Break Floods West Hollywood Streets, Underscores Aging Infrastructure Concerns](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33054:water-main-break-floods-west-hollywood-streets-underscores-aging-infrastructure-concerns&catid=327)
<div data-id="1" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-emailform eb-1 eboxContentLocker"
	data-options='{"trigger":"onPageLoad","trigger_selector":"","delay":3000,"early_trigger":true,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":1,"reverse_scroll_close":true,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":10000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"slideInDown","animation_close":"fadeOutDown","animation_duration":400,"disable_page_scroll":true,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #1 - Global Email Signup Form","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog eb-formVer" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog1" aria-label="dialog1">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<form action="https://citywatchla.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=34d69f33624fd058ee9b56516&amp;id=4bfa422f51&amp;f_id=00d6c2e1f0" class="eb" method="post" id="mcform-1" name="mcform-1" target="_blank">
			<div class="eb-form-header"><p><img src="/images/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png" alt="be a city watcher" width="350" height="97" loading="lazy" data-path="local-images:/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png"></p>
<p>Sign up to receive our special e-news blasts on Monday and Thursday evenings!</p></div>
	
					<div class="eb-field-row">

			
			
			
			<input class="eb-input" type="email" name="EMAIL"  placeholder="Email address"  id="EMAIL" value="" required>

			
		</div>
										
	<div class="eb-footer">
    	<button class="eb-btn" type="submit" name="subscribe" style="background-color:rgba(93, 183, 93, 1);color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 1)">
    		Sign up    	</button>
    </div>
</form>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>
<div data-id="3" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-yesno eb-3 "
	data-options='{"trigger":"onScrollDepth","trigger_selector":"","delay":0,"early_trigger":false,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":2,"reverse_scroll_close":false,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":1000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"fadeInUp","animation_close":"fadeOut","animation_duration":300,"disable_page_scroll":false,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #3 - Yes \/ No Donation Popup Box","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog " role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog3" aria-label="dialog3">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<div class="ebox-yes-no">
	<div class="ebox-yn-text">
		
		
		<div class="ebox-yn-headline" style="font-size:22px;color:#888888">
			<p>If you only give once a month, would you consider giving to CityWatch?</p>
<p>Your support fuels our mission to promote and facilitate civic engagement and neighborhood empowerment, and to hold area government and its politicians accountable.</p>
<p>Would you like to help? Even if you can only give $5, it will make a difference.</p>		</div>
			</div>
	
	<div class="ebox-ys-buttons" style="font-size: 16px;">
		
<a
					data-ebox-prevent="0"
		data-ebox-cmd="close"
				target="_self"
		href="https://www.citywatchla.com/donate"
		rel="noopener"
	
	
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#2ec664;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Yes
	</a>
<a
	
	
			data-ebox-cmd="close"
		href="#"
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#ef2345;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Not Right Now
	</a>	</div>

	</div>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>