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Slow, Steady Takeover: KCET Sells Building to Scientology
As part of their plan to go independent, former PBS affiliate KCET has sold their landmark Hollywood building at 4401 West Sunset Blvd. to the Church of Scientology.
In a statement, the station announced that they will stay at the site for another year before packing up and moving on.
KCET moved into the Sunset location in 1970 and has been there ever since, making the company the longest tenant ever. The lot was originally built up in 1912. Prior to being owned by KCET, it was home to Monogram Pictures in the 1940s and early 1950s, until the company officially changed their name to Allied Artists. Throughout most of the 1960s the area was a rental lot, until it was finally purchased by KCET.
As KCET moves on to bigger and better (we hope), Scientology continues to expand in our fair city. Los Angeles is already the largest Scientology outpost in the world, with centers throughout Hollywood, including the west coast headquarters, which is known as the Pacific Area Command Base. That's the monstrosity building on Fountain.
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The 4401 West Sunset location is just a few blocks east of another of Scientology's primary Los Angeles locations, 4810 Sunset Blvd. (In other words...they're closing in!)
In a statement, KCET president and CEO Al Jerome was optimistic about the sale, and the future of KCET.
“We are now implementing Phase Two of our transformation from a PBS affiliate to an independent public media center for the 21st century," he said. “New facilities and equipment will allow us to augment the quality, award-winning content that our fans love.”
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