Today, Creative Environments of Hollywood joins the rest of the world in mourning. The loss of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, is both shocking and deeply saddening. As news of Michael Jackson’s sudden death continues to spread, Creative Environments of Hollywood would like to reflect on our personal history with the King of Pop.

Michael Jackson will forever be a friend of Creative Environments of Hollywood, and sister company, Colony Bancorp of Malibu.  Michael’s connection with us came through his friendship and work with the late Herb Ritts, a world renowned fashion photographer famous for his black and whites. It was in one of our many properties that Ritts operated his studio for several years. There, he photographed Michael on numerous occasions for media publications as well as promotional artwork.

The photos, taken in the 1990’s, were only one of many projects on which Michael Jackson and Herb Ritts collaborated. Herb is celebrated for his creative vision in photographing Michael’s well-known January of 1992 “Rolling Stone” Magazine Cover.  Jackson’s music video for “In the Closet,” featuring supermodel Naomi Campbell, was yet another Hollywood production in which the two were able to combine their creative talent. In addition, Herb photographed Michael’s sister, Janet Jackson, several times, and even directed the music video for Janet’s hit song, “Love Will Never Do (Without You).”

Michael Jackson’s time in our lofts and office spaces will forever be captured and remembered through the art which elegantly reflects and portrays him at the height of his career. His music and achievements throughout the decades have inspired generations. The energy and life with which Michael Jackson entertained will live on in the hearts of millions. He will be greatly missed.  

As the Los Angeles economy rebounds from a rough year and a half of uncertainty we see new hope, new obstacles and yet more uncertainty.  With the collapse of many giant companies and an excess of available retail real estate we are seeing foreign companies that have had success in the recent past taking a chance in the US market.  As these new companies bring their goods to the Los Angeles market we see the potential for new jobs and increased consumer spending.  The entertainment industry appears to be picking the pace up now that the strikes they have faced for the last two years appear to be behind them opening the potential for more jobs and more studio spending which makes up a large portion of the LA economy.  While we are seeing these great improvements we are also dealing with new obstacles such as a water shortage.  With California financially strapped the ability to purchase out of state water is not as easy, we have been forced to reduce consumption and water our lawns on certain days and hours.  There appears to be a lot of change going on in the LA area, but what we are unsure of is what is really changing and if it is for the better or worse.  Unemployment remains higher than in recent history, real estate appears to have leveled out, the state of California can’t balance their budget and the average business man is unsure if they should grow their business or shut it down.  The bottom line is don’t give up.  The economy is turning around, even if it is slower than you may have hoped for.