Ray-Art Studios (1997 - 2003)
6625 Variel Avenue, Canoga Park, Los Angeles (now demolished)
Aerial Photo of Ray-Art Studios seen in December 2003:
Originally built by Rockwell North American Aviation in the 1960s, the plant was then bought by shampoo manufacturers Redken. After some damage in the 1994 earthquake, the potential of the 189,000 sq.ft. facility for TV/film production was spotted by producers Bob Papazian and James Hirsch. After a short period as an indoor baseball training facility, Ray-Art Studios were born in 1997.
1997 - Ray-Art Studios opened, with four sound stages and 90,000 sq.ft. office space.
1998 - A loan was provided to retrofit the studio buildings to make them more Earthquake-resistant, following the Northridge Earthquake. [LA Times Article]
2000 - As part of a $10-million expansion, Ray-Art Studios opened a sixth sound stage, on what was a parking lot behind the Variel Avenue studio, just north of Warner Center (seen bottom right of above aerial photo).
April 2000: Website www.rayartstudios.com created.
January 2001 - Air Hollywood is launched as a joint venture with Ray-Art Studios, to offer a 28,000 sq.ft. facility with standing sets of an airport terminal, security gates, ticketing and concourse areas, and jets and helicopters. The location of this facility is 13240 Weidner Street, Pacoima, Los Angeles.
August 2001 - The 8,000 sq.ft. floating backlot that was home to Nash Bridges before it was cancelled by CBS was relocated temporarily from San Francisco Pier 39 to Long Beach, and became part of Ray-Art Studios. [Article 1] [Article 2]
Ray Art Studios 2001 Photo Gallery
2003 - Ray Art Studios is sold by James Hirsch and Bob Papazian.
Aerial Photo, November 2004 from Google Earth
2004-2006 - The studio buildings are demolished and the site is cleared, as a new block of residences is constructed, complete with large central swimming pool.
June 2006: The domain name www.rayartstudios.com expired and has not been renewed.
2007 - The facility has been completely demolished and is now residential. No evidence of the studio remains.
