Creative Campus on Olympic Boulevard Traded for Far Above Market Averages
The three-story building, located at 1221 Olympic Boulevard and formerly occupied by Abrams’ Bad Robot Productions, traded for about $1,700 per square foot, far above typical pricing in a market where most offices sell for less than $1,000 per square foot.
The buyer’s identity remains unclear. Although the deed lists Vicken Haleblian, chief executive of accounting firm HCVT, as the grantee, corporation documents suggest the purchase may have been made on behalf of a client. The sellers, Abrams and his wife, Katie McGrath—co-chief executives of Bad Robot—did not respond to requests for comment.
Bad Robot moved into the brick-clad structure more than a decade ago, outfitting the interior with floating staircases, editing suites, a recording studio, and a screening room. The exterior famously bears a “National Typewriter Company” sign, a nod to Abrams’s affinity for typewriters and his reputation for playful misdirection.
The building sits near the Santa Monica Pier in a pocket of the city known for housing high-profile creative companies. Just north on Euclid Street stands another production hub: Indian Paintbrush, founded by financier Steven Rales.
Despite these marquee tenants, the broader Santa Monica office market has struggled. Vacancy reached 26 percent this year, according to CBRE, contributing to steep price adjustments across the sector. Most trades have closed well below the level reached by the Bad Robot building, underscoring the premium commanded by bespoke, entertainment-focused creative spaces.
