Warner Music Group DTLA

Warner Music recently moved its headquarters to a brand new building in the arts district of Los Angeles, CA. The move is a first time unification of all the various arms of the Warner Music family, and is also makes possible the unification of all the branches under one roof.  The new facility encompasses recording studios, offices, and lounges, making it a unique music focused campus. It is a landmark location, which was renovated to create a modern space- and keep some of the historic features from the iconic building, which once housed a show room for Ford, and the Model T, dating as far back as 1912.  The move includes the relocation of the teams from Atlantic, Elektra, Rhino, WEA, and ADA. The 240,000 square foot space is a five story home to around 800 employees. 

To create this modern, chic, and visionary space, Sound Fabrication worked closely with the Rockwell Group, who provided architectural design, to conceptualize and create the custom treatments.   The custom treatments, made by Criterion Acoustics, were unique and tailor made for the project.  The treatments were often a hybrid of grooved wood, and diffusers.  Membrane absorbers were fabricated from white oak, with a veneer pressed hardboard.  These were then mounted to a frame with mineral wool installed in the cavity.  Additionally Sound Fabrication manufactured custom Augspurger monitors, with each room having a unique design by George Augspurger himself.  All monitor systems use TAD drivers and Linea Research amplifiers.  Each of the systems in the space were then tuned by David Kotch and George Augspurger themselves. 

The new DTLA Warner campus is also replete with performance spaces, and recording studios. Rockefeller Kempel Architects headed the renovation of the iconic space- ensuring the preservation of some of the historic elements.  The Warner Brother’s floor was designed by Norman Wonderly, and the label’s own EVP Creative.

The space includes a flexible 250 seat live performance space, with lighting fixtures suitable for concert aesthetics, and bespoke custom millwork made of bleached white oak treatments.  Each floor is outfitted with custom finishings, furnishings, and lighting and acoustic treatments, making it both an aesthetically stunning and an acoustically pristine environment. There are between 14-18 recording studios in the complex, making this a one stop destination for the music and recording industries.  There are also wonderfully curated lounge spaces and roof top terrace access, providing areas for people to rest, socialize, and take more relaxed meetings. 

The state of the art space hosts a central gathering area on the ground floor, plentiful and flexible co-working spaces, live performance facilities, and a plethora of custom state of the art recording studios.  The facility also houses sound stages, green screens, and rehearsal spaces- all acoustically treated. With a one stop shop in place in the downtown LA arts area, all who are under the Warner umbrella are able to access an environment that fosters collaboration between all branches of the label, as well as supporting the world class artists on their roster. High ceilings and glass walls, along with countless music artifacts, from decades worth of iconic Warner music talent, provides a music focused environment for this highly integrated space- which will foster connection, innovation, and inspiration.

The wonderfully renovated Warner music office in the arts district of down town Los Angeles, is functional beyond meets the eye.  It is a place for those tasked on music creation, recording, and promotion, with an inspiring work environment, that is host to some of the finest custom mill work, acoustic design, and historic preservation; it is chiefly suited to propel and support Warner music’s timeless artists.