While transforming a former IMAX theater into a modern broadcast and production facility, this project served a combination of two clients: Sinclair and the Tennis Channel. Because of this, multiple differences of opinion were encountered on design, budget and scope. From the beginning, the project required compromise and teamwork. The architect, engineer and general contractor acted as go-betweens to ensure the project was aesthetically pleasing and fully functional for both clients.

The team also ran into permitting challenges. Clune Construction, the general contractor, was brought on the project early, and quickly began working on permitting due to their familiarity with Santa Monica’s stringent guidelines. After the team acquired the initial building permit, the client made significant design changes, so the process started again, with Clune’s team advising the design team and the client on what to include based on municipality allowances. As a result, construction was allowed to continue in one part of the building while the other awaited a new permit.

An interesting project challenge surrounded the installation of a new 1.2-megawatt generator. Because of its importance, the team purchased it early, but due to permitting delays it spent months in a warehouse. The client had a set-in-stone date to begin broadcasting, so the construction team had to install a temporary generator, which required entirely separate permitting. It was challenging to find the correct sized temporary generator, because many of the commercial units for rent were at the time being used to help fight California’s wildfires.