Hitsville U.S.A.

"Hitsville U.S.A." is the nickname given to Motown's first headquarters. A former photographers' studio located at 2648 West Grand Boulevard in Detroit, Michigan, approaching the New Center area, it was purchased by Motown founder Berry Gordy in 1959.It was converted for use as the record label's administrative building and recording studio, which was open 22 hours a day (closing from 8 to 10 a.m. for maintenance). Following mainstream success in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Gordy moved the label to Los Angeles and established the Hitsville West studio there, as a part of his focus on television and film production as well as music production.West Grand BoulevardIn 1959, Gordy formed his first label, Tamla Records, and purchased the property that would become Motown's Hitsville U.S.A. studio. The photography studio located in the back of the property was modified into a small recording studio, and the Gordys moved into the second-floor living quarters. Within seven years, Motown would occupy seven additional neighboring houses:Hitsville U.S.A., 1959: (ground floor) administrative office, tape library, control room, Studio A; (upper floor) Gordy living quarters (1959–1962), artists and repertoire (1962–1972)Jobete Publishing office, 1961: sales, billing, collections, shipping, and public relationsBerry Gordy Jr. Enterprise, 1962: offices for Berry Gordy, Jr. and his sister Esther Gordy EdwardsFinance department, 1965: royalties and payrollArtist personal development, 1966: Harvey Fuqua (head of artist development and producer of stage performances), Maxine Powell (instructor in grooming, poise, and social graces for Motown artists), Maurice King (vocal coach, musical director and arranger), Cholly Atkins (house choreography), and rehearsal studiosTwo houses for administrative offices, 1966: sales and marketing, traveling and traffic, and mixing and masteringITMI (International Talent Management Inc.) office, 1966: management Motown had hired over 450 employees and had a gross income of $20 million by the end of 1966.