RIP, Cartoon Network Studios Burbank Building (2000-2023)
Cartoon Network Studios (CNS) is vacating its animation studio in Burbank. The news was announced on Twitter by Brian Miller, who was the general manager of the studio from its opening in 2000 until 2021.
Miller wrote on Twitter, “Sadly, this building will no longer be CNS. From what I’ve been told, everyone will be out by August 1. All moving together in a WB building as one animation unit. Farewell CNS as it was.”
The 43,000-square-feet three-story building is located at 300 N. 3rd Street. Cartoon Network spent around $1.2 million to transform the former commercial bakery (or Pacific Bell building, per other media reports at the time) into its animation studio and officially opened the studio on August 24, 2000.
Dozens of Cartoon Network shows were produced at the Burbank studio including Samurai Jack, The Powerpuff Girls, Johnny Bravo, Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, Ben 10, Adventure Time, Uncle Grandpa, and Steven Universe.
Over the years, the studio outgrew its space and also rented space in other buildings in the Burbank Media Center area.
The news of the building’s closure isn’t exactly a surprise. Last October, Warner Bros. Discovery announced a “strategic realignment”, in which revealed plans to consolidate its tv animation divisions by merging Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios.
Cartoon Network Studios will continue to operate under the auspices of Warner Bros. Animation. Both studios are overseen by Sam Register. WBD has not yet officially announced where Cartoon Network staff will relocate, but our understanding is that employees will move a few miles away, to the new Frank Gehry-designed Second Century Development, a striking pair of office buildings off the 134 freeway. The iceberg-looking buildings which total 800,000-square-feet of space, are adjacent to the main Warner Bros. lot in Burbank and are expected to be completed this year.
As the news of the building’s closure has spread this weekend, artists who worked in the buildings are posting their memories on Twitter:
When CN told us they were opening their own studio they asked Genndy and I to help pick the building and make design suggestions on what we wanted for the interior work spaces. So I can honestly say this is place I felt I helped build. It’s sad to see it go. https://t.co/6TeaJAnMiS
— Craig McCracken (@CrackMcCraigen) July 9, 2023
— Chris Battle (@chrisbattleart) July 9, 2023
Spent 11 years at this place.. Gonna miss it ❤️ https://t.co/2H85O4sUHq
— Pete Browngardt (@peebgardt) July 10, 2023
Cartoon Network was my first gallery show. Also I got to work on the one show I’ve always wanted to work on. When I left I cried so many times haha. Not only that Jason’s been at CN for like 7 years? So I got to see my husband even more. pic.twitter.com/o7OR99ZxVa
— Eyecager (@amberbladejones) July 10, 2023
My first animation job was in this building as an intern on COTC. So many memories…sad to see it going 😢 https://t.co/591BL9n3aS pic.twitter.com/Fr1gN7WqMl
— thatcartoonistguy (@noah_cutwright) July 9, 2023
Bye CNS building, had lots of great memories there. 🖤🤍 https://t.co/HSbUojVeR3 pic.twitter.com/u6eXheh49I
— Chey Curtis (@Cheyenne_Curtis) July 9, 2023
The first time I entered this building, I picked up freelance on Dexter’s Lab and Samurai Jack. Later, it would become my home while working on Foster’s.
The level of talent in this space was next-level – Genndy, Craig, Lauren, Paul Rudish, Jenny Baker, Scott Wills – legendary. https://t.co/TQoUW2LAth
— Shannon Tindle (@ShannonTindle_1) July 9, 2023
We lived a few blocks away from this legendary CN building for many years. I would walk there for writing and art/design freelance. And guest talks and lots of voice records. This place was magical. I even had an art show there! Gracias, Cartoon Network building, thank you for… https://t.co/k9kr3Id82D
— Jorge R. Gutierrez (@mexopolis) July 9, 2023
I spent 8 years at CNS. Billy&Mandy, Underfist, Chowder, Adventure Time, and then as Creative Director for the shorts in development.
It was a dream to come to work everyday. It totally made me who I am today.
Thanks for the amazing times CNS.#CartoonNetwork https://t.co/fii2JYaAaJ pic.twitter.com/BtJRoFwMyG
— Phil Rynda (@philrynda) July 10, 2023
If I were to go down my personal checklist of accomplishments, you would see that working at Cartoon Network was one of them and getting my first show development deal there was another. Thanks for the memories CN. #Goodbyecartoonnetworkstudio #thegrimadventuresofbillyandmandy pic.twitter.com/sS9ShYQtpR
— LegitEricRobles (@LegitEricRobles) July 10, 2023
Four floors of magic & art & colors & fun people. My kids grew up there, I was so lucky to be able to bring them to work. Everyone there was friendly, happy, knowing they were all a part of something truly special. pic.twitter.com/MT4TfiaArv
— tara strong (@tarastrong) July 10, 2023
Photo at top: Cartoon Network Studios via Google Earth.