KCRW breaks ground on new studio

KCRW and Santa Monica College turned the first ceremonial shovel Wednesday on a new off-campus Academy of Entertainment & Technology that will include a new home for the radio station. KCRW has lived in a basement at the community college for decades. The new place, due to be occupied by 2016, will get KCRW above ground with proper offices and studios and have performance space and an auditorium for public events. The architect is Clive Wilkinson Architects. Curbed LA has more of the renderings.

From KCRW's release:

“This is an incredibly important moment in KCRW’s history – we couldn’t be more thankful to our licensee and partner Santa Monica College, Santa Monica voters, and our generous supporters for their vital contributions in bringing the KCRW Media Center to life,” said Jennifer Ferro, KCRW President and General Manager. “For the first time in our 75-year history we will be able to bring the community into our home and share the incredible performances and discussions that take place on a daily basis.”

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To-date, KCRW has secured $33 million of the total $48 million capital campaign goal, including a $28 million contribution from Santa Monica College, licensee of KCRW, with funding from 2008 Bond Measure AA. KCRW graciously thanked other major donors at the groundbreaking ceremony, including The Annenberg Foundation, Norris and Debi Bishton, The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation, Tom and Ellie Wertheimer, Borzi Family Foundation, Kayne Foundation (Ric & Suzanne Kayne and Jenni, Maggie & Saree), The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, Santa Barbara Foundation, Monica J. Shilling, and Jay and Susan Markowitz, among others.

“KCRW’s innovative programs and live events inspire the imagination and bring communities together,” said Wallis Annenberg, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of The Annenberg Foundation, KCRW’s largest private donor. “They provide an invaluable public service to Southern Californians and listeners worldwide. We are thrilled to be a part of this illustrious endeavor.”

Over the past 30 years, KCRW’s staff has grown from 14 to 110 in extremely cramped offices and studios beneath Santa Monica College campus. The new KCRW Media Center is designed to preserve the station’s collaborative culture, while creating community gathering spaces, integrating state-of-the-art production facilities, and allowing for future growth. Designed by Clive Wilkinson Architects, a global leader in workplace innovation, the new building will also meet LEED Silver Certification standards, maximizing energy and water efficiency, and indoor environmental quality.

KCRW staffers with shovels.