United Artists to Build Office in Beverly Hills

United Artists, which financier Kirk Kerkorian is buying on completion of the sale of MGM/UA Entertainment to Turner Broadcasting, said Tuesday that it will build its international headquarters in Beverly Hills.

MGM/UA Chairman and Chief Executive Frank Rothman, who plans to go with UA as its chairman and chief executive once the deal is completed, said the company has agreed to buy the northeast corner of the Crescent Drive and Wilshire Boulevard intersection for an undisclosed price. A retail store presently occupies the parcel.

Rothman said an ultramodern office building will be erected. The size of the building has not been determined, according to Kerkorian spokesman Stephen Silbert, who will be UA secretary-treasurer. Silbert said the land is being bought from developer Donald Tronstein and hotel owner Max Baril.

The purchase is to close Dec. 3. Meanwhile, UA has leased temporary quarters, starting Nov. 1, on the ninth and 10th floors of the 450 North Roxbury Building in Beverly Hills.

The MGM/UA-Turner deal is expected to be completed in December. Kerkorian will control at least 50.8% of UA’s stock after offering a minority share to public shareholders of MGM/UA as of Sept. 9.