Walk down La Brea just north of Sunset and you'll hit a gate that looks like it belongs in a different century. It does. 1607 N La Brea Ave isn't just an address; it’s the Jim Henson Company Lot. But before the Muppets moved in, this patch of Hollywood was the birthplace of United Artists.
Charlie Chaplin built this place.
Most people driving past the giant Kermit the Frog statue dressed as the Little Tramp don't realize they are looking at one of the few surviving pieces of "Old Hollywood" that still functions as a working studio. It isn't a museum. It isn't a tourist trap. It's a living, breathing production hub that has survived the silent film era, the rise of television, and the digital revolution.
The Chaplin Era: Building a Kingdom at 1607 N La Brea Ave
In 1917, Charlie Chaplin was the most famous man on the planet. He needed a place to work where he wasn't under the thumb of the big distributors. He bought an orange grove. Seriously, 1607 N La Brea Ave was basically a fruit orchard when he started. He spent about $35,000 on the land—a fortune back then, pennies now—and built a studio designed to look like a row of English cottages.
He wanted to feel at home.
The architecture was a deliberate choice. He didn't want a cold, industrial factory. He wanted a creative sanctuary. If you look at the Tudor-style buildings today, you’re seeing the same half-timbered facades that Chaplin walked past while filming The Kid or Modern Times. It’s wild to think that The Great Dictator was choreographed and shot right behind those walls.
Chaplin was a perfectionist. He famously spent weeks or months on single scenes. Having his own kingdom at 1607 N La Brea Ave allowed him that luxury. He lived there, worked there, and basically owned that corner of Hollywood. The footprints of the "Little Tramp" are literally baked into the concrete near the soundstages.
When the Muppets Moved In
Fast forward to 1999. The Henson family was looking for a new home for the Jim Henson Company. They bought the lot from the A&M Records estate. It felt like a poetic transition. You have Chaplin, the master of silent physical comedy, handing the keys over to the masters of puppetry. Both art forms rely on movement and soul rather than just dialogue.
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The renovation was careful. They didn't tear it down to build a glass skyscraper. Honestly, Hollywood has enough of those. Instead, they leaned into the history. They perched a 12-foot tall statue of Kermit the Frog right above the main gate, wearing Chaplin’s iconic bowler hat and cane. It’s a nod to the past that actually works.
Inside, the lot is a maze. It’s not a grid. You’ve got narrow walkways, hidden gardens, and soundstages that have seen everything from The Muppets to Henson Alternative’s Puppet Up!. The Henson Creature Shop operates out of this location too. If you’ve seen a complex animatronic in a movie lately, there’s a high chance it was dreamed up right here at 1607 N La Brea Ave.
More Than Just Movies: The A&M Records Years
We can't talk about this address without talking about music. Between Chaplin and Henson, this place was the epicenter of the recording industry. Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss bought the lot in 1966 for A&M Records.
Think about the albums recorded here.
We Are the World happened in Studio A. Imagine that room. You had Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, and Bob Dylan all packed into 1607 N La Brea Ave on a single night in 1985. The logistics alone are a nightmare to think about, yet the history is palpable in the walls. Joni Mitchell recorded Blue here. Carole King did Tapestry.
The studio, now known as Henson Recording Studios, remains one of the premier spots for world-class artists. It hasn't lost its edge. While other legendary studios like Sound City or the original Gold Star have closed or moved, 1607 N La Brea Ave keeps the lights on. It’s a rare trifecta: film history, music history, and the future of puppetry all in one zip code.
Why This Specific Address Still Matters Today
Hollywood is disappearing.
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Not the industry, but the physical history. Every year, another historic bungalow gets leveled for a luxury condo. 1607 N La Brea Ave stands as a middle finger to that trend. It’s a designated Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument (No. 88), which helps, but it’s the utility that keeps it alive.
People still use it.
The soundstages are constantly booked. The recording studios are top-tier. It isn't a relic; it's a tool. When you see the lot today, you notice the blend of eras. You see the 1910s English village vibe clashing with 1960s recording tech and 21st-century digital effects. It’s messy. It’s Hollywood.
The Layout and Atmosphere
If you ever get the chance to step inside (it’s a private lot, so don't just wander in or security will toss you), the first thing you notice is the scale. It feels smaller than a "Major Studio" like Warner Bros or Paramount. That’s because it was built for one man’s vision.
- The North End: This is where the original Chaplin stages were located.
- The Recording Wings: Where the A&M magic happened.
- The Creature Shop: A high-tech workshop filled with foam, fur, and electronics.
It feels like a campus. There’s a sense of privacy that you don’t get at the bigger lots. That’s probably why Chaplin liked it, and why A-list musicians still flock there. You can disappear.
Misconceptions About the Lot
A lot of people think the Muppets are "Disney property" so the lot must be a Disney lot. Nope. While Disney owns the Muppets characters, the Jim Henson Company is an independent entity. They own the lot. They own the Fraggle Rock and Dark Crystal characters.
Another weird myth? That Chaplin’s ghost haunts the editing rooms. Look, every old building in LA claims to have a ghost. Whether he’s roaming the halls or not, his influence is definitely there. You can't escape the fact that he designed the place to be a "film factory" that felt like a home.
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How to Experience 1607 N La Brea Ave
You can’t just buy a ticket for a "Henson Studio Tour" like you can at Universal. It’s a working facility. But there are ways to see it.
- The Main Gate: You can always see the Kermit statue from the sidewalk. It’s one of the most photographed spots in Hollywood for a reason.
- Special Events: Occasionally, the lot hosts charity events or industry screenings. Keep an eye on the Jim Henson Company’s social media.
- Recording: If you’re a musician with a decent budget, you can actually book time at Henson Recording Studios. It’s expensive, but you’re paying for the acoustics—and the ghosts of Carole King and John Lennon.
Actionable Insights for History Buffs and Creators
If you’re interested in the intersection of Los Angeles history and modern production, 1607 N La Brea Ave is your case study.
First, study the architecture. The "Cottage" style was a reaction to the industrialization of the 1920s. It shows that creative spaces don't have to look like offices to be productive. If you're building a creative workspace, think about "atmosphere" as much as "utility."
Second, recognize the power of preservation. The Henson family didn't modernize by destroying; they modernized by adapting. This is a lesson for anyone taking over an old business or brand. You don't have to erase the past to be relevant in the present.
Finally, appreciate the geography. 1607 N La Brea Ave is situated right where the "flats" of Hollywood meet the hills. It was a strategic move by Chaplin to be close to the action but just far enough away to have his own space.
Visit the area around Sunset and La Brea. Look at the Chaplin-era bricks. Listen for the faint sound of a drum kit from the recording studios. This address is the last of a dying breed: a studio that stayed a studio.
To really dig deeper into the history of this site, look up the Los Angeles Conservancy's records on the Chaplin Studios. They have floor plans and historical photos that show just how much—and how little—has changed since 1917. You can also check out the official Henson Recording website to see the gear list and studio specs, which are basically a "who's who" of high-end audio engineering.
The best way to respect 1607 N La Brea Ave is to understand that it’s not just a landmark. It’s a workplace that has been pumping out culture for over a century. That’s a rare thing in a city that usually loves to pave over its own memories.