Columbia Square Building
Columbia Square Building Information:
The 105,000 square foot, seven-story Columbia Square building is located within a 125,000 square foot complex in the heart of Gower Gulch, at the intersection of W. Sunset Boulevard and N. Gower Street. Columbia Square was designed by Swiss-born architect William Lescaze in the style of International Modernism and built over a year at a cost of two million dollars, more money than had ever been spent on a broadcasting facility at that time. Opening on April 30, 1938, Columbia Square was the home of CBS’ Los Angeles radio and television operations from 1938 until 2007.
The Square's original configuration included eight studios. Nearby, the Square's large auditorium was capable of seating 1,050 audience members. The complex included Brittingham's Radio Center Restaurant and a branch of the Bank of America. On April 21, 2007, KCBS-TV and KCAL-TV left the building and moved their operations to the CBS Studio Center in Studio City, thus ending Columbia Square's status as a broadcast facility, one of a very few remaining in Hollywood.
The northeast corner of the complex was renovated for the filming of the series. For the first time ever, the Hollywood Real World House will be "green" including everything from solar energy solutions to bamboo flooring, recycled glass counters, some sustainable furniture and recycled vintage décor, energy star appliances, a solar heated swimming pool and energy efficient lighting. Columbia Square is located 24.3 miles from the Venice Beach House, used in the filming of the second season.
Columbia Square was acquired for $15 million by Sungow Corp. in 2003. In August 2006, the property was acquired by Las Vegas-based developer Molasky Pacific, LLC for $66 million. They plan to redevelop the 125,000-square-foot complex to continue to attract entertainment industry tenants. The mixed-use project valued at $850-million will take up an entire city block. The developers plan to restore the 105,000 square foot historic CBS building as creative office space along with an additional 380,000 square foot office tower, 400 housing units, 12,200 square feet of retail and a 125-room boutique style hotel. Groundbreaking is anticipated for 2009.
Columbia Square Visit, December 2007
Front Gate, North Gower Street Side, North Side
Pre-Renovation Pictures
Front Gate, North El Centro Avenue Side, Southwest Corner
Exterior
Basketball Court, Billiard Room, Front Door, Front Gate, Garage, Gym, Pool, Spa
Interior
Bathroom, Blue Bedroom, Confessional Room, Control Room, Hallway, Kitchen, Library, Living Room, Motel, Office, Phone Room, Purple Bedroom, Red Bedroom
Taping Dates:
August/September - December 5, 2007
Photo Credit: www.speakreality.com
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Updated - April 12, 2008