- Audio-Technica acquired the 8,966 SF, two-story creative office building at 5735 Melrose Ave. in Hollywood in a JLL-brokered deal, and will use it as its Los Angeles headquarters and showroom.
- JLL’s Ben Silver says owner-users see ownership as a strategic asset that builds equity and offers tax advantages, a view reflected in Los Angeles’ owner-occupier demand.
- The sale is the first office acquisition on Melrose this year, after only one Hollywood office deal near the corridor in 2025: Newmark’s $105M sale of 1601 Vine Street.
Audio-Technica has purchased a two-story, 8,966 SF creative office property in Hollywood, GlobeSt reported, in a JLL-handled deal at 5735 Melrose Ave.
The audio company plans to occupy it as its Los Angeles base, with a product showroom.
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Who Was on the Deal
According to GlobeSt, JLL senior vice president Ben Silver represented Audio-Technica alongside Joe Anderson and Kevin Coats. Meanwhile, Silver and JLL senior director Will Poulsen handled the sale for BLT Enterprises. Poulsen works on the firm’s capital markets team.
The Owner-User Case
Silver told GlobeSt that many companies now view real estate ownership as a strategic choice. It can provide stability, build equity over time and offer potential tax benefits.
Additionally, he said owner-users are seeking lasting value. They also want space that supports their long-term business plans.
Thin Melrose Activity
GlobeSt reported that this is the first office purchase along Melrose in 2026. Activity was also limited last year, when the strip recorded just one office deal. That transaction was Newmark’s $105 million sale of 1601 Vine Street, just north of Melrose Boulevard.
The 115,589 SF building sold to Kingsbarn Realty Capital in April 2025. It was fully leased, with Skims Body, Inc. as its anchor tenant. According to GlobeSt, the property was built in 2017 and updated in 2024.
Why It Matters
Small owner-occupied deals signal continued interest in ownership, even as institutional office trading remains slow. GlobeSt reported that the property sits in the Hollywood Media District, near film, television and digital content creators. It also borders Larchmont Village.
The purchase reflects a wider market reset. CRE Daily has tracked how Los Angeles CRE draws investors following office price declines. Meanwhile, office scarcity is pushing rents higher for top-tier space.
What’s Next
The building offers several features suited to creative businesses. According to GlobeSt, these include a large lobby, a studio, meeting and production rooms, an open kitchen and an outdoor patio.
As a result, the property could appeal to other media and creative companies. Watch whether more businesses choose ownership along the corridor.
