Amoeba Music Hollywood Announces Relocation, Taps Tyler, the Creator For Announcement (Watch)

In a move that has been anticipated since June 2018, when Amoeba Records co-owners John Henderson, Marc Weinstein and Dave Prinz first revealed plans to relocate due to landlord challenges, the famed music retailer announced its new location, 6200 Hollywood Blvd., on the corner of Argyle in the new El Centro complex. The new location is just less than a half mile away from their current spot on 6400 Sunset Blvd, which they’ve occupied for nearly 20 years. Thankfully, the iconic independent music retailer’s famed in-stores will continue.

The move was announced in a 60-second YouTube video by Best Rap Album Grammy winner (and L.A. native) Tyler, the Creator, who takes viewers on a walk-through of the vacant, new 20,000-square-foot site, which will all be on a single level, unlike the two-floor set-up at the current location.

“As long as Amoeba don’t close, that’s all I care about,” he says, explaining his love for the store traces back to when they let him do a photo shoot for his first album on their roof. “I’m excited for the new Amoeba.”

Amoeba Hollywood will occupy its new site – just a block from the Fonda Theater and across the street from the Shake Shack along Hollywood’s Walk of Fame – sometime after Labor Day 2020. The principals sold the previous location for a reported $34 million in 2015 to GPI Companies, developers whose properties include the Promenade at Howard Hughes Center near LAX and the Granada Hills Town Center and had been leasing the space since then. After the Los Angeles City Council approved a zoning change last June, construction will soon begin on a 26-story mixed use complex.

The new location will have an on-site parking lot, with validation offered upon purchase for 75 minutes. There’s no word on whether Amoeba still plans to pursue an adult recreation cannabis license, as they obtained for the Hi-Fidelity dispensary in their Berkeley store on Telegraph Avenue, nor whether there will be a gap between moving out of their old site into the new one. Amoeba also has a location in San Francisco.

Like the famed performance by Paul McCartney at the Hollywood location in June, 2007, which was recorded for release, Amoeba will continue to host in-store live shows, signings, DJ sets and meet-and-greet events with the likes of The Raconteurs, Dream Syndicate, Sky Ferreira and John Densmore appearing at the L.A. landmark over the past few years.

“We are humbled by the massive outpouring of support throughout this search from our customers and the L.A. community,” said Henderson. “We will bring that familiar Amoeba energy into this new space and you can be sure it will provide the ‘true Amoeba experience’ as we will carry the same breadth and depth of selection.”

Added L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, “Los Angeles is a creative capital – a place filled with dreamers who move and inspire us every day. Amoeba Music reflects the best of this creative spirit, and Angelenos are fortunate this beloved cultural treasure has found a new home guaranteeing its place in our city for years to come.”

“We are thrilled our beloved Amoeba Music is staying in Hollywood,” said L.A. City Council’s Mitch O’Farrell. “And even more delighted to welcome the store to the Walk of Fame.”