Viacom’s new West Coast headquarters opened last night in a raucous cascade of music and optimism, uniting the creative forces of eight major brands in a soaring, aspirational space at the heart of Hollywood.
“This new Hollywood facility reinforces our presence in the world’s entertainment capital, connecting us more deeply with the creative community and bringing inspiration for our employees, who help us deliver world-class entertainment and unforgettable stories to our audiences every day,” said Viacom President and CEO Bob Bakish. “We wanted to create a space that encourages collaboration, creativity and innovation, and gives creators and employees the tools they need to do their best work.”
Bakish shared a huge stage at the launch party, addressing hundreds of employees between performances by Flo Rida and Snoop Dogg (posing as DJ Snoopadelic), star of VH1’s hit Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party and executive producer of MTV’s Mary + Jane. Deadline, Hollywood Reporter and Variety all posted vivid dispatches of the wild outdoor scene.
The building rises six light-flooded stories from the site of the original CBS Studios, socked full of original artwork, ergonomic sit-stand workstations, coffee bars, ping pong tables and rooms for nursing mothers. Available workspace sprawls across insert stages and shoot rooms and winds onto an outdoor terrace and roof deck. LEED Gold Core and Shell certified, the building is a 210,000-square-foot model of sustainable design.
Seated off the 101 freeway between the fabled Hollywood sign and Paramount Pictures’ iconic lot, the building at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Gower Street is the second major Viacom facility to come online this month, after the ribbon-cutting for Nick’s massively expanded animation studio in nearby Burbank. The Hollywood building will host 850 employees across MTV, Comedy Central, BET, VH1, Spike, TV Land, CMT and Logo.
“When I look at Viacom today, I could not be more pleased to see the reemergence of that wonderful, incredible culture that has always been the lynchpin of our success,” said Non-Executive Vice Chair of the Viacom Board Shari Redstone, who addressed employees after Bakish. “There is so much opportunity ahead of us. This office speaks to the best of Viacom, the future of our great brands and the potential that lies ahead.”