Paramount Pictures plans $700-million upgrade to Hollywood lot

"We have run out of options for creating more production space," said Frederick Huntsberry, Paramount's chief operating officer. The internal expansion would create nearly 7,300 jobs during construction and accommodate 5,500 permanent workers at the studio."

"The lot is a congested warren of stages, offices, trailers and support facilities such as woodworking mills that date to the early 20th century. The layout is byzantine in part because Paramount bought the former rival RKO studio lot from Desilu Productions to create the lot known today."

"Part of the challenge for architects Rios Clemente Hale Studios and Levin & Associates Architects will be to expand Paramount's capacity without taking away its raffish charm as a homey old-Hollywood campus. Much of it is unchanged from the days of Clara Bow and Gary Cooper."

Paramount Pictures announced a $700 million development plan for its historic Melrose Avenue headquarters and adjacent properties, pending city approval. The expansion would add approximately 1.4 million square feet of production space over the next two decades, creating nearly 7,300 construction jobs and accommodating 5,500 permanent workers. The studio currently operates around the clock with up to 5,000 daily workers, primarily independent producers renting facilities for shows like "Glee," "Community," and "NCIS: Los Angeles." The lot's Byzantine layout stems from Paramount's acquisition of the former RKO studio from Desilu Productions. Architects face the challenge of expanding capacity while preserving the studio's historic old-Hollywood character and charm dating back to the early 20th century.

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