Jul 9, 2023

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 served as 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 heard, everyone will be out by August 1. Goodbye, CNS."

The 43,000 square foot, three-story building is located at 300 N. 3rd Street. Cartoon Network spent approximately $1.2 million to convert the former commercial bakery (the Pacific Bell building, according to other media reports at the time) into an animation studio, and officially opened the studio on August 24, 2000.

Cartoon Network shows include Samarai Jack, Powerpuff Girls, Johnny Bravo, Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, Ben 10, Adventure Time, Uncle Grandpa, Stephen Universe, and dozens more were produced at the Burbank studio.

Over the years, the studio outgrew its space and rented space in other buildings in the Burbank Media Center area.

News of the building's closure is not necessarily a surprise. Last October, Warner Bros. Discovery announced a "strategic reorganization," revealing plans to consolidate its animated television division by combining Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios.

Cartoon Network Studios will continue to operate under the Warner Bros. Animation umbrella. Both studios will be overseen by Sam Register, and while WBD has not yet officially announced where Cartoon Network staff will be relocated, our understanding is that employees will move several miles away to the new Frank Gehry-designed Second Century Development. The 800,000-square-foot iceberg-like building is adjacent to the main Warner Bros. site in Burbank and is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

This past weekend, as news of the building's closure spread, artists who worked in the building posted memories on Twitter:

When CN said they were opening their own studio, they asked Gendy and I to help them pick out the building and work inside asked us to make design suggestions on what they wanted for the space. So I can honestly say this is a place I feel I helped build. It's sad to see it go. https://t.co/6TeaJAnMiS

- Craig McCracken (@CrackMcCraigen) July 9, 2023

pic.twitter.com/n80hT5qBzK

- Chris Battle (@chrisbattleart) July 9, 2023

Spent 11 years in this place. Sad to see it go. https://t.co/2H85O4sUHq

- Pete Browngardt (@peebgardt) July 10, 2023

Cartoon Network was my first gallery show. I got to work on another show I've always wanted to do. I cried a lot when I left. Jason had been at CN for seven years. So I got to meet my husband. pic.twitter.com/o7OR99ZxVa

- Eyecager (@amberbladejones) July 10, 2023

My first animation job was as an intern at COTC in this building. So many memories... Sad to see it go. https://t.co/591BL9n3aS pic.twitter.com/Fr1gN7WqMl

- thatcartoonistguy (@noah_cutwright) July 9, 2023

Goodbye CNS building, had many great memories. https://t.co/HSbUojVeR3 pic.twitter.com/u6eXheh49I

- Chey Curtis (@Cheyenne_Curtis) July 9, 2023

When I first entered the building, I picked up freelancing at Dexter's Lab and Samurai Jack. Later, while working for "Foster's," it became my home.

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 from this legendary CN building for many years. I used to walk there for writing and art/design freelancing. Guest talks and lots of voice recordings. This place was magical. We even did art shows there. Bill at Cartoon Network, thank you... https://t.co/k9kr3Id82D

- Jorge R. Gutierrez (@mexopolis) July 9, 2023

I spent 8 years at CNS working on Billy&Mandy, Underfist, Chowder, Adventure Time, and a short in development. As creative director.

I dreamed of coming to work every day. That's what made me who I am today.

Thanks for a great time CNS.#CartoonNetwork https://t.co/fii2JYaAaJ pic.twitter.com/BtJRoFwMyG

- Phil Rynda (@philrynda) July 10, 2023

Check out my personal achievements Going down the list, you'll see that working for Cartoon Network was one of them, and getting my first show development contract there was another. Thanks for the memories. #Goodbyecartoonnetworkstudio #thegrimadventuresofbillyandmandy pic.twitter.com/sS9ShYQtpR

- LegitEricRobles (@LegitEricRobles) July 10, 2023

Four floors of magic, art, color and fun people. My kids grew up there and I was so lucky to bring them to work. Everyone there was friendly, happy and knew they were part of something really special pic.twitter.com/MT4TfiaArv

- tara strong (@tarastrong) July 10, 2023

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