LOS ANGELES \u2014 Serenity now!<\/p>\n
A century-old film and TV studio where \u201cSeinfeld\u201d and other hit shows were shot could shut down after the owner defaulted on a $1.1 billion loan.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s the latest in a series LA entertainment industry defaults, which have left Hollywood begging for mercy.<\/p>\n
Republic Ave. on the lot of Radford Studio Center. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t believe the future of this studio is in jeopardy,\u201d one gutted producer who still works on the storied lot told The Post.<\/p>\n
Stage 9, also known as the Seinfeld Stage, where the show was produced on the lot of the at Radford Studio Center. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images<\/p>\n
Hackman Capital Partners, the owner of the iconic CBS Radford Studios \u2014 where \u201cGilligan\u2019s Island\u201d and the classic 60\u2019s western \u201cGunsmoke\u201d were birthed \u2014 has plans to turn the property over to Goldman Sachs after failing to make payments, according to Bloomberg.<\/a><\/p>\n Hackman had hoped to capitalize on the streaming industry, which was booming at the time it bought the studio \u2014 but didn\u2019t see Hollywood consolidation coming, according to industry insiders.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Workers still punching in on the storied lot paint the sad picture of a studio that went from boom to bust.\u00a0<\/p>\n Street sign on the lot of the Radford Studio Center. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images<\/p>\n \u201cIts been empty for years, ever since the pandemic it\u2019s been empty. When it was booming, I couldn\u2019t find a parking spot. They had to get security guards to show us where to park. And that was at 8 a.m.\u201d said the producer. <\/p>\n \u201cNow, it\u2019s wide open.\u201d<\/p>\n Recently business has been so slow that the cafeteria closes early because no one is coming in to eat anymore, the producer said.<\/p>\n \u00a0Bungalows, right, used for production, and a parking structure in the background, on the lot of the Radford Studio Center. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images<\/p>\n A person familiar with the studio and tenant negotiations told The Post that Radford is less than half way full and that at one point there was a thought to \u201ceventually\u201d make the lot residential, given its desired Studio City location.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe location is amazing, you\u2019re 30 minutes away from anything. It\u2019s already surrounded by really nice homes and restaurants\u201d the producer said.<\/p>\n