A significant legal dispute has erupted between renowned Scottish DJ and producer Calvin Harris and his former business manager, Thomas St. John, involving a substantial real estate development project in Hollywood. The project, a $500-million mixed-use development situated at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Highland Avenue, is at the center of a $22.5 million claim.
Court documents reveal Harris’ assertion that the project, known as the CMNTY Culture Campus, has been “at best, a complete boondoggle, and, at worst, a complete fraud.” This accusation is vehemently denied by St. John. The CMNTY Culture Campus, initially envisioned as a complex encompassing a state-of-the-art recording studio catering to top musical artists, restaurants, and high-rise apartments, has yet to secure city approval despite being publicly proposed in 2022.
Harris’ investment in the project, totaling $22.5 million—a $10 million loan and a $12.5 million equity investment—occurred in 2023, according to the arbitration demand filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court. This investment was reportedly made in response to St. John’s financial difficulties, prompting him to seek an “emergency cash infusion” from one of his most successful clients.
Following the equity investment, St. John allegedly distributed over $11 million to himself, a claim contested by St. John’s legal team. The project, initially designed by HKS, the firm behind SoFi Stadium, was originally planned as a 13-story indoor-outdoor complex featuring high-profile recording studios and entertainment-focused offices. However, in 2024, a revised plan was proposed, shifting the focus to residential units in two high-rise towers, accommodating 734 apartments, due to the sluggish office rental market post-COVID-19 pandemic.
This revised plan still incorporates a street-level recording studio, alongside a restaurant and a potential coffeehouse, complemented by an acre of garden space for residents atop a five-level parking structure. St. John’s attorney maintains that Harris actively participated in the development’s pursuit and that the project remains viable, projecting a valuation exceeding $900 million upon completion. The attorney attributes Harris’ legal action to dissatisfaction with the project’s progress and the prevailing market conditions influencing real estate development timelines. Meanwhile, St. John acknowledges owing Harris the initial $10 million loan, along with $1.9 million in accrued interest.
The ongoing arbitration process will determine the ultimate outcome of this high-stakes legal battle, highlighting the complexities and potential risks inherent in large-scale real estate ventures, especially within the dynamic landscape of the entertainment industry.