The Studio

Water Tower

At 160 feet tall, the Water Tower has been a studio icon since it was built in 1937. Visible throughout Culver City from several miles away, it was designated with “Significant” status by the City of Culver City for its historical importance. At 33 feet across, the tank holds 16,000 gallons of water. The great height of the tower creates the pressure needed to distribute the water. Although no longer actively used, the tank is connected to Sony Pictures Studios’ fire sprinkler system in case of emergency.

Stage 30

Stage 30 is best known by filmmakers for its massive 721,000-gallon water tank, which was once filled by the studio’s water tower. The famous MGM musicals starring Esther Williams were filmed in and around Stage 30’s water tank as were other productions such as TriStar Pictures’ HOOK and Columbia Pictures hits SPIDER-MAN™ and MEN IN BLACK II. At 90 feet wide and 100 feet long, the tank is twelve feet deep and has a twenty-foot plunge pit in the center. Covering the tank are plywood on top of individual sections of strong flooring, each supported by four steel beams, so that this portion of the stage can be used at all times.

Thalberg

The Thalberg building originally housed the executive offices of MGM and has been designated with “Landmark” status by the City of Culver City for its historical importance. Louis B. Mayer, studio chief of MGM, had an office on the third floor and a private dining room on the fourth. The building was named after Irving G. Thalberg, whom Mayer made head of production at age 24. Considered a “boy wonder,” Thalberg was instrumental in MGM’s early success. He produced high-quality films and introduced production practices that have become standard today, but despite his standing in Hollywood, Thalberg was modest and never allowed his credit to be put on any film he produced.

The Colonnade

Built in 1915, the Colonnade is the oldest structure at Sony Pictures Studios (SPS). When Harry Culver persuaded well-known filmmaker Thomas Ince to relocate his studio to Culver City, Culver facilitated the acquisition of the land for Ince, who oversaw the construction of his first studio, named Ince-Triangle Studios, at the current SPS site. Designed in the Greek-Revival style, the Colonnade served as the main, grand entrance to the studio. As the studio expanded under Louis B. Mayer’s leadership of MGM, the Colonnade continued to serve as the gateway to the studio, allowing studio executives, film crew and daily extras alike entry through its hallowed gates. As cars got larger, and Mayer relocated to the Thalberg building, the Colonnade was no longer able to serve as the primary entrance. Given the highest historic designation of “Landmark” by the City of Culver City, the Colonnade remains emblematic of the studio’s illustrious history.

Stage 15

Built in 1927, Stage 15 is the largest stage on the studio lot. At 42,000 square feet and standing 40 feet tall, Stage 15 is the second largest sound stage in the world. (Only the JAMES BOND 007 sound stage at Pinewood Studios in England is larger at 45,000 square feet.) Stage 15 has been used for many memorable films, most famously MGM’s THE WIZARD OF OZ, and Sony Pictures Entertainment hits such as MEN IN BLACK I and II, STUART LITTLE, SPIDER-MAN™ and SPIDER-MAN 2™. The stage is also used as rehearsal space for musical acts and for special events and awards shows. In 2013 the stage was renamed The Gary Martin Soundstage in honor of SPE’s former President, Production Administration, Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group and President, Sony Pictures Studios Operations who retired after serving the studio for more than three decades.

Crawford

The Crawford Building was built in 1927. This Spanish Colonial building has been designated with “Significant” status by the City of Culver City for its historical importance. Serving originally as the private dining room for Louis B. Mayer, studio chief of MGM, it was later used as a schoolhouse for young stars like Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, Elizabeth Taylor and Roddy McDowell. Today the Crawford Building serves as office space for such motion picture luminaries producing films for Sony Pictures Entertainment.