Conway Recording Studios on Melrose Avenue Is for Sale

Conway Recording Studios, a legendary Hollywood music recording studio on Melrose Avenue, is for sale as its 83-year-old founder, Buddy Brundo, plans to retire after a half-century in the business, according to the Los Angeles Times. The property is listed at $15 million.

Since 1976, Conway has been a destination for major artists across generations and genres. Musicians who have recorded there include Burt Bacharach, Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Wonder, U2, Guns N’ Roses, Daft Punk, Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, and the Korean pop group BTS. Taylor Swift's fans once created a demand for Conway merchandise after she was seen wearing a studio sweatshirt.

Brundo, who moved to California in the 1970s, designed Conway as an "L.A.-style oasis" with natural light through soundproof windows, a departure from traditional sealed studios. This design, which a real estate broker described as feeling "like you’re in Hawaii," has helped keep the studio busy over the years, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Despite the rise of digital production tools and home studios, facilities like Conway with expansive live rooms, vintage gear, and a rich history are becoming more valuable, notes the Recording Industry Assn. of America. The property, spanning over an acre on the edge of Melrose Hill, includes three studios, offices, extensive recording equipment, lounges, and a kitchen without a stove.

Brundo hopes to sell to a buyer who will continue its legacy as a music studio. Entertainment real estate broker Nicole Mihalka of CBRE, who holds the listing, suggests that a recent shift away from AI-generated music is leading bands to use more instruments and require more recording space, making studios like Conway even more relevant.