Los Angeles, CA – Occidental Studios, a landmark of cinematic history and one of the oldest continually operating film production facilities in Los Angeles, has been placed on the market at what is described as “top dollar.” The potential sale emerges at a challenging juncture for the city’s entertainment industry, marked by a significant downturn in production activity and underutilized soundstage capacity.
Dating back to 1913, Occidental Studios holds a storied past, having served as a creative ground for pioneering filmmakers who shaped early Hollywood. Legends such as Cecil B. DeMille, D.W. Griffith, Mary Pickford, and Douglas Fairbanks were among the visionary artists who utilized the facilities, leaving an indelible mark on cinematic development.
A Property Steeped in History
The studio complex is situated on a 3-acre gated campus near Echo Park in Historic Filipinotown. It comprises a mix of facilities essential to modern production, including soundstages, office spaces, and writers’ bungalows. This blend of historical significance and functional infrastructure makes the property a unique offering, despite the prevailing market conditions.
Industry Woes Cast a Shadow
The decision to sell comes as Los Angeles grapples with worsening production woes. The film and television industry, a cornerstone of the Southern California economy, has faced headwinds leading to what some describe as historic levels of disuse for soundstages across the city. Data reflects this challenging environment.
According to recent figures, soundstage occupancy rates in Los Angeles decreased to 63% in 2024. This represents a notable drop from the 69% occupancy recorded in 2023. Complementing this statistic, the number of on-stage shoot days also experienced a decline in 2023, indicating a broader slowdown in physical production taking place within studio walls.
Factors Contributing to the Downturn
The reasons behind the slump in filming activity in Los Angeles are multifaceted. Industry observers and analysts point to several key factors.
One significant driver is the rising competition from production hubs outside California. Jurisdictions offering attractive tax incentives and lower operating costs have successfully lured productions away from the traditional Hollywood center. This competition has intensified in recent years, providing filmmakers with viable alternatives to Los Angeles.
Furthermore, the lingering effects of the global pandemic continue to impact production schedules and budgets. While the most acute phase of the health crisis has passed, its disruption to established workflows and supply chains has had lasting repercussions on the industry’s efficiency and output.
Adding to the current challenges are the residual impacts of the 2023 industry strikes. Protracted labor disputes involving writers and actors brought much of Hollywood production to a standstill for months. While agreements have been reached, the strikes caused significant delays, reshaped production pipelines, and contributed to the decreased activity seen on soundstages.
The Juxtaposition of Value and Market Reality
The listing of Occidental Studios at “top dollar” highlights a unique market dynamic: the intrinsic value of a historically significant, well-located property in Los Angeles versus the current economic realities facing the local production industry. The sale will test the market’s appetite for legacy assets amid a climate of reduced demand for the very facilities they house.
The future ownership of Occidental Studios remains to be seen, as does its potential role in the evolving landscape of film and television production. However, its presence on the market serves as a tangible indicator of the complex challenges and transitions currently underway in the heart of the global entertainment capital.
