Echelon Studios Hollywood Will Open Early Next Year

The $450 million studio facility on Santa Monica Boulevard will bring five soundstages and 1,000 parking spaces to Hollywood.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Commercial

Echelon Studios Hollywood Will Open Early Next Year

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Developer David Simon is set to debut the new 10-acre Echelon Studios Hollywood in early 2027. The project transforms a former Sears site on Santa Monica Boulevard into a dense production hub.

Why it matters

The development aims to revitalize local production activity following a period of decline. It leverages existing state tax credits and potential federal incentives to attract film and TV creators to Los Angeles.

The $450 million facility packs 10 acres of studio space onto a 5-acre lot. It provides five soundstages and parking for more than 1,000 vehicles.

The players

David Simon

Founder of BARDAS Investment Group who has focused on developing high-density media facilities in Los Angeles since 2018.

BARDAS Investment Group

The real estate development firm responsible for the Echelon Studios Hollywood project.

FilmLA

The official partner of the City of Los Angeles that coordinates film permits and tracks regional production data.

The details

To fit the 10-acre studio onto a 5-acre footprint, the developer utilizes a vertical design that stacks parking, soundstages, and production bungalows in one structure. Engineers implemented a specialized soundproofing system using layers of thick concrete, drywall, and insulation to isolate production stages from the parking areas located below.

1920s: Metro Pictures Corp. operated at the nearby Television Center site.
2018: Developer David Simon founded BARDAS Investment Group.
Q2 2026: Los Angeles film and TV production volume decreased.
Late July 2026: FilmLA released data confirming production declines.
Early 2027: Echelon Studios Hollywood is scheduled to open.

The Home Front

This project continues the trend of repurposing large-format commercial sites in Los Angeles for specialized entertainment use. It follows other major local investments like the $600 million Television Center renovation and the $420 million Columbia Square redevelopment.

Residents near Santa Monica Boulevard should monitor construction schedules for the final phase of work ahead of the 2027 opening. Those interested in the long-term impact on the neighborhood may want to track updates from the developer regarding facility usage and traffic management.

The takeaway

The Echelon project signals a major investment in the future of the local production market despite recent industry downturns. Neighbors can watch for the facility's opening in early 2027 as an indicator of broader shifts in Hollywood commercial real estate utilization.