Hollywood’s Sycamore media district, as the area east of La Brea Ave. and south of Santa Monica Blvd. is called, is becoming a hub of music publishing, with such companies as Roc Nation, Kobalt Music and Sony Music Publishing opening flagship offices there.
Sony is the latest to arrive and hosted its official opening with a Thursday night party that drew music industry tastemakers, creatives and key executives pushing the company — home to songs by Beyonce, the Beatles, Ed Sheeran and Leonard Cohen, among hundreds more — to become market share leader under chairman and CEO Jon Platt.
The veteran executive, who started out as a DJ in Denver and went on to top positions at EMI Music Publishing and Warner Chappell Music (where he signed Beyonce and Jay-Z), before taking the reins at SMP in 2019, truly created an office in his image. The space is warm and inviting, with neutral tones carrying from room-to-room in what’s intended to function as an office space and hub for affiliated music makers. Adorning the walls, you won’t find many of the passé gold and platinum records, the roster’s impressive and storied past is on display in the form of life-sized photographs and other art.
In announcing the new address, conveniently located around the corner from Beyonce’s Parkwood Entertainment business and Jay-Z investment vehicle Mr. T’s, SMP described it as a testament to its “commitment to fostering creativity and collaboration.”
Said Platt: “Our aim was to build a space that supports songwriters every step of the way, welcomes creators, and supports their needs.”
A staffer at the Thursday party said the goal was to create “a Disneyland for songwriters.”
SMP’s new Hollywood customized office space is situated in a reimagined century-old building, designed through a collaboration with architects WSDG and design firm RIOS.
The space has five dedicated studios, six listening rooms, a recording studio with two recording booths and an artist lounge. SMP said in a release that the suites are situated alongside office and social areas to continue promoting engagement between staff and creators. It also boasts Dolby Atmos capabilities.
SMP has recently developed and enhanced spaces around the world including Nashville, the U.K., Germany and Canada.
Look inside the newly opened SMP west coast flagship office below.
A new studio at Sony Music Publishing’s west coast flagship office in Hollywood.
Alejandro Gonzalez/Sony Music Publishing
A new writer studio at Sony Music Publishing’s west coast flagship office in Hollywood.
Alejandro Gonzalez/Sony Music Publishing
A new artist lounge at Sony Music Publishing’s west coast flagship office in Hollywood.
Alejandro Gonzalez/Sony Music Publishing
