Unova Puts ‘For Sale’ Sign on Historic Site

A series of corporate mergers and acquisitions has motivated industrial automation specialist Unova Inc. to put its landmark Beverly Hills headquarters on the market.

With Unova’s spin-off from Western Atlas Inc. about a year ago, the former parent’s headquarters shifted to Houston-- near its key oil field services operations--while Unova inherited the prime property on about 2.6 acres along the south side of “little” Santa Monica Boulevard between Rexford Drive and Crescent Drive.

The property has served as the headquarters of MCA, Litton Industries, Western Atlas and Unova during the last 60 years and can accommodate more than 400 employees. However, Unova’s home office now employs just 80 so the firm will move to Woodland Hills, spokesman Dirk Koerber said.

In what Koerber described as a “bittersweet” move, Unova is seeking $40 million for the complex.