The Howard Hughes Headquarters stands as a testament to the golden age of cinema innovation. Commissioned by the legendary aviator and film producer Howard Hughes in 1930, this Art Deco masterpiece was constructed by the Myers Brothers contracting firm at a cost of $2,000,000, an astronomical sum for the era. Originally conceived as a state-of-the-art color film manufacturing plant for Hughes' company Multicolor, Ltd., the building represented cutting-edge technology in the early days of Hollywood's transition from black and white to color cinema. Built between 1930-1931, it was designed to support Hughes' ambitious vision of revolutionizing film production during one of Hollywood's most transformative periods.
The structure showcases classic Art Deco elements including clean lines, decorative metalwork, and stylized ornamentation typical of early 1930s design. The building complex includes a central courtyard with an elegant fountain, creating an oasis within the Hollywood industrial landscape. While the front facade is now partially concealed by ivy growth, the underlying architectural integrity remains intact. The building's design reflects the optimism and technological advancement of the Jazz Age, with its emphasis on modernity and industrial efficiency perfectly suited to its original purpose as a film manufacturing facility.
