In a move that’s turning heads across the corporate world, Playboy Enterprises is officially leaving its longtime home in Los Angeles and relocating its global headquarters to Miami Beach.
The announcement, made Wednesday, marks the end of an era closely tied to the late Hugh Hefner and his iconic West Coast mansion.
CEO Cites Business Climate as Driving Force
Playboy CEO Ben Kohn explained the decision was largely motivated by California’s “anti-business” environment.
Florida, he said, offered a much more welcoming and economically sensible setting.
“We are thrilled to move Playboy to Miami Beach, which has been phenomenal to deal with—very pro-business,” Kohn said.
“When you weigh the cost of doing business in California versus Florida and factor in the energy of Miami Beach, it made perfect sense for us to relocate.”
Luxury Headquarters and a Fresh Take on the Brand
Playboy will set up shop in the penthouse of The RIVANI, a high-end office complex developed by Robert Rivani, who reportedly invested over $100 million into the project.
“Miami Beach is one of the fastest-growing and most iconic cities in the world.
It’s a hub for culture, creativity, and business—exactly the energy Playboy wants for its next chapter,” Rivani told Fox News Digital.
Adding to the excitement, Playboy plans to launch a reimagined Playboy Club on-site, featuring a restaurant and members-only space, alongside new multimedia studios to expand its digital content and licensing operations.
A Shift Toward Digital and Licensing
Kohn emphasized that content creation is central to Playboy’s future strategy.
“We plan to build a content team in Miami as we continue our magazine relaunch and the Playmate franchise,” he said.
“On top of that, our global licensing business will have a significant presence in Miami.”
While the company hasn’t revealed how many employees will be affected, the transition is expected to be complete by next year.
Playboy currently operates out of a Wilshire Boulevard office in Westwood, Los Angeles.
Miami Courts Playboy as Part of a Corporate Migration
City officials in Miami Beach have welcomed the move, seeing it as a major win for local economic development.
Their efforts included city commissioners competing with other U.S. cities for months to land the deal.
Playboy’s relocation is part of a larger trend of high-profile companies leaving California for states with lower taxes and lighter regulations.
Tesla, Chevron, Charles Schwab, and In-N-Out have all recently moved major operations to places like Texas and Tennessee.
California’s personal income tax rate of 13.3 percent, including investment profits, is often cited as a barrier to growth.
Returning to South Florida Roots
For Playboy, the move also marks a homecoming.
The brand opened its second-ever Playboy Club in Miami in 1961 and later operated the Playboy Plaza Hotel on Miami Beach in the 1970s.
Founded in 1953, Playboy rose to prominence with Marilyn Monroe on its first issue cover and became a cultural force through the 1960s and 70s, known for provocative imagery, literary fiction, and interviews with figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Jimmy Carter.
Adapting to the Modern Market
In recent years, Playboy has pivoted from print to focus on digital content, fashion, brand licensing, and sexual wellness.
The print magazine ceased regular publication in 2020.
Despite reporting a $7.7 million net loss in its most recent quarter, Playboy saw a 13 percent increase in revenue thanks to licensing.
Symbolic Move Reflecting Broader Trends
Rivani sees Playboy’s relocation as emblematic of a wider migration of major companies leaving Los Angeles and New York for South Florida.
“Miami Beach is synonymous with iconic brands, an unbeatable lifestyle, and endless possibilities—and Playboy’s arrival amplifies all of that,” he said.
Kohn echoed the sentiment, expressing excitement for the company’s future in a more business-friendly environment.
“Leaving California, which is difficult for employers, is a positive step for us. We’re excited to start this new chapter in Miami,” he told Fox News Digital.