The Los Angeles City Council approved a report from the Planning and Land Use Management Committee to designate the CBS Television City Studios building at 7800-7860 W. Beverly Blvd. as a historic-cultural landmark.

“We were able to preserve a piece of Los Angeles history and a vital part of our local economy,” Councilman David Ryu, 4th District, said. “CBS Television City doesn’t just house a storied past, but working sound stages that are crucial to our local economy.

(photo by Edwin Folven)

“The most recent figures show sound stage occupancy rate at around 96 percent,” the councilman added. “Keeping Television City’s sound stages intact akeeps Los Angeles jobs intact. This is an example of how saving Los Angeles’ history secures Los Angeles’ future. Now, we can ensure the same sound stages which once held ‘I Love Lucy’ and ‘The Carol Burnett Show’ will keep serving the film and television industry for years to come.”

Local media reports surfaced in September saying that CBS officials were thinking about selling the 25-acre complex, launching speculation about future uses of the site. Adrian Scott Fine, director of the L.A. Conservancy, said previously that the designation, if approved, wouldn’t necessarily preclude new development on the plot, but could allow for “creative design” that preserves the original structure.

The nonprofit L.A. Conservancy nominated Television City for designation in December. Television City opened in 1952 at the intersection of Beverly Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue. It has hosted television productions including “The Carol Burnett Show,” “All in the Family” and “The Price is Right.”

The A.F. Gilmore Company, owner of the Original Farmers Market, once owned the land, which housed an oil field, a football field and a racetrack, in succession, before Television City opened its doors. Architects William Pereira and Charles Luckman designed that facility to include sound stages, studios, editing rooms, offices and rehearsal halls. Architect Gin Wong, known for other local projects including the Beverly Hills Union 76 Gas Station, was also involved in the design.