John Mayer and filmmaker McG are in no hurry to modernize the soul out of their latest acquisition. After purchasing the legendary Los Angeles studio lot that once housed A&M Records and the Jim Henson Company, the pair decided the best path forward was a return to the beginning. In early 2026, they officially rechristened the 80,000-square-foot property Chaplin Studios, honoring the site’s 1917 origins as the production home of Charlie Chaplin.

“I found it incredibly compelling to think of a 20-year-old artist, working on their very first record, entering a place called Chaplin,” Mayer shared during a recent tour of the facility. “Even if they don’t fully grasp the history, there is a weight to it. I love the aesthetic of the name and the heritage it represents. It allows us to honor the legacy while giving ourselves the space to build something entirely new.”

A Sanctuary for Musical Heritage

Located just south of the iconic Sunset and La Brea intersection, the lot is a tapestry of Hollywood history. From the silent film era to the television booms of the 1950s, the property eventually became a musical mecca in 1966 under Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss. It was within these walls that Carole King recorded Tapestry, Joni Mitchell tracked Blue, and dozens of icons gathered for the “We Are the World” sessions in 1985. In 2000, the Henson family took over, maintaining its status as a premier recording and filming destination.

Mayer’s personal history with the lot began in 2005, but it wasn’t until he secured a long-term residency in Studio C in 2018 that he truly felt part of the architecture. When rumors surfaced that the lot might be sold to outside interests, McG—who got his start producing music videos on the lot—began assembling a bid. A serendipitous connection made by studio president Faryal Ganjehei brought the musician and director together to finalize a $60 million deal in late 2024.

“John and I were practically strangers before this ‘arranged marriage,’” McG joked. However, they quickly realized their skills were complementary: McG handles the operational complexities of running a major lot, while Mayer ensures the creative environment remains sacred for the artists who inhabit it.

Preserving the Creative Spark

For Mayer, the purchase was about more than real estate; it was about protecting a routine and a community. He describes the lot as an “emotional asset,” a place where the atmosphere—right down to the scent of the wood and the specific amber glow of the lights—is vital to the creative process.

“There is a specific nomenclature to being in a studio that exists in its own timeframe. You leave the artists alone and let them relate to that. Even the tapestries and the string lights—there’s just something about them that makes people want to write songs.”

— John Mayer

This commitment to the artist experience extends to the lot’s legendary “runners,” who can pivot from technical studio needs to transforming a soundstage into a private basketball court for someone like Justin Bieber at a moment’s notice. “If we provide the environment that allows an artist to create an Album of the Year, we’ve done our job,” Mayer says.

Mayer’s Return to the Studio

While managing the lot is a significant undertaking, Mayer is prioritizing his own craft in 2026. He admitted that the “expanse of time” required to make a record is difficult to carve out, but he has intentionally cleared his schedule to focus on his ninth studio album.

“You cannot streamline a great album,” Mayer explains. “I’ve spent the last few months decelerating other projects to ensure 2026 is open enough for the recording process. I have to get back into the role of being an artist, and that requires throwing a massive amount of time at the work.”

Ultimately, Chaplin Studios remains a rare “grandfathered” sanctuary in the heart of Hollywood. For Mayer and McG, the goal is to keep the gates closed to the outside world, allowing the air inside the block to remain charged with the same creative energy that has defined it for over a century.

To explore more, visit the official Chaplin soundstage and recording studios.

Source