Warner Bros. is set to raze Building 131, a single-story structure on its lot that once housed the iconic Looney Tunes animation team, to make way for expanded base camp space for HBO productions, sources confirmed to Deadline. The nondescript building, tucked in a far corner off Forest Lawn Drive, has been slated for demolition for some time, with staff from other shows barred from parking nearby in preparation. The teardown could begin as early as next week, erasing a piece of cartoon history tied to the golden age of animation, though a Warner Bros. spokesperson declined to comment on the move.
Building 131, part of the Warner Bros. lot since the 1930s, was a hub for Looney Tunes during its 1930-1969 run, a period that birthed classics like Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, amassing over 1,000 shorts and 10 Academy Awards. The demolition reflects Warner Bros. Discovery’s shifting priorities—HBO shows like Euphoria and The White Lotus (filming Seasons 4 and 3, respectively) demand more space, with the lot hosting 12 active productions in 2024 (Variety). The building, lacking historical designation, won’t be replaced, a decision some see as symbolic of the studio’s pivot from its animation legacy.
The move comes amid broader controversy for Warner Bros. Discovery. Earlier this month Max removed the original Looney Tunes shorts, citing a focus on “adult and family programming” over kiddie content like Sesame Street, a decision that drew 5,000 fan petition signatures (Change.org). While spinoffs remain—Looney Tunes Cartoons (2020), New Looney Tunes (2015), Baby Looney Tunes (2002), Tiny Toons Looniversity (2023), The Sylvester and Tweety Mysteries (1995), and Bugs Bunny Builders (2022)—the classics’ absence, alongside the shelved Coyote vs. Acme film (despite a $70 million budget), has fueled backlash.
Warner Bros.’ lot, spanning 110 acres, has long balanced history and modernity—Casablanca filmed there in 1942—but the teardown underscores a streaming-first era (43.5% of U.S. TV viewing, February 2025). Warner Bros.’ focus on HBO’s ubscribers over Looney Tunes’ legacy marks a stark shift. The demolition, paired with Max’s purge, leaves fans mourning a cartoon cornerstone. For now, Building 131’s days are numbered, and with it, a tangible link to Bugs and Daffy’s golden age.
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