Historic Weider Publications Building Hits the Market

The iconic headquarters of Weider Publications is on the market for lease. It’s been four decades since body builder and fitness mogul Joe Weider moved his fitness business to the 41,200-square-foot building on Erwin Street in Woodland Hills, filling it with art and treasures. Now the vibrant home to Weider’s family of fitness magazines — Muscle & Fitness, Men’s Fitness and Shape, among others — is quiet, though still charming. American Media Inc., which purchased Weider Publications about a decade ago, moved out of the building when its lease expired in December 2011. Betty Weider, the wife of Joe Weider and owner of the building, said the move was likely done to create efficiencies by relocating the workers to other AMI offices. “It’s very sad … it’s like the end of an era,” said Betty Weider, who had the building built as an investment to lease out. Joe Weider moved his businesses from New Jersey in the early 1970s and took up residence at the Woodland Hills property, she said. The building at 21100 Erwin Street is decorated with Western paintings, Frederic Remington sculptures, front pages of magazines and busts. The two-story structure has a 25-foot indoor waterfall, elaborate board rooms and executive offices with magnificent bathrooms and other luxuries. An American flag from 1778 hangs in the lobby. And when a visitor steps off the glass elevator onto the first floor, they are greeted by a large bust of Joe Weider, arms bulging and crossed. Some of the art is planned to be donated to the Joe and Betty Weider Museum of Physical Culture at the University of Texas at Austin. “I think it’s ideal for maybe a creative company… — animation, digital media, game creators,” said Senior Vice President Richard Bright of CBRE Group Inc., who is handling leasing along with his partner Associate Michael Bogle. In the heyday, some 200 workers were based at the headquarters. Most worked for the magazines, but others handled the creative end of the Weider nutritional supplement and gym equipment businesses, Weider said. Dignitaries and celebrities such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Chuck Norris, Lou Ferrigno and Clint Eastwood flowed in and out. The building, built in 1971, was where the Weider empire grew up, said Betty Weider, a former cover girl, supermodel and co-founder of Shape magazine. Only a few workers employed by Weider Health and Fitness remain in the building, Weider said. They will leave once the building is leased, she said, although she didn’t know where they would relocate. “We enjoyed our decade in the house of Joe Weider. It had great memories of the most famous body builders that ever competed,” AMI said in an e-mailed statement. A company spokesperson declined to answer questions about the move. Joe Weider still serves as an advisor to Weider Health and Fitness, founded the International Federation of Body Building and Fitness and the Mr. Olympia contests with his brother Ben. He served as mentor to former governor and bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger, who called him a “father” in a foreword to “Brothers of Iron,” an autobiography by Joe and Ben Weider. Betty Weider, while saddened over Weider’s exit from the building, said she would be happy if future tenants would “love the building and appreciate it as much we did.” Production Supply Firm Signs New Lease TMB has signed a 10 ½ year lease at a San Fernando industrial building as it moves from Pacoima, according to a brokerage involved in the deal. The provider of production supplies and services to the entertainment industry will move into 29,800 square feet of industrial space at 525 Park Ave., Lee & Associates-LA North/Ventura Inc. said. Principal Brett Warner of Lee & Associates-LA North/Ventura Inc. represented TMB in the deal. Senior Vice President David Hoffberg and Chief Operating Officer Jerry Scullin of Delphi Business Properties Inc. represented the landlord, Gough Place Associates. Hoffberg said the space was vacant for about six months and had plenty of parking, high ceilings and other amenities that helped it get leased. Several months ago, Warner said TMB sold its 36,000-square-foot Pacoima headquarters on Glenoaks Boulevard. Warner said tenant improvements are currently underway and TMB plans to move by the end of the month. The company chose its new headquarters because the building, while smaller, was more efficient and located in a city with no gross receipts tax, Warner said. The lease deal was valued at about $2.2 million, Lee & Associates said. Staff Reporter Andrew Khouri can be reached at [email protected]. or at (818) 316-3124