Playboy, the iconic brand that once set the standard for men’s lifestyle magazines, is leaving Los Angeles behind and heading east to Miami Beach, ushering in a bold new chapter for the company. The move, announced on August 15, 2025, has captured the attention of both business insiders and pop culture enthusiasts, not least because it marks a significant shift for a brand that has called California home for decades.
"Miami is one of the most vibrant cities, in our opinion, and most fun cities in the country," said Playboy CEO Ben Kohn in a recent interview with Fox News Digital. He added, "Given Florida and Miami’s pro-business stance, leaving California, which is anti-business and a very difficult place to do business as an employer, we’re excited to be relocating to Miami Beach. And the city of Miami Beach has been phenomenal and helpful in the move."
It’s not just about a change of scenery. According to a company statement covered by the Associated Press, the new Miami Beach headquarters will be perched atop a luxury office building, complete with studios designed to support Playboy’s "growing creator network." This signals a strong commitment to digital content, podcasts, photography, and new media, all produced in the heart of a city known for its energy and cultural influence.
Playboy’s decision to move is rooted in more than just sunshine and palm trees. As Kohn explained, "Miami Beach is among the most dynamic and culturally influential cities in the country, making it the ideal home for Playboy’s next chapter." That sentiment echoes a broader trend of companies seeking business-friendly environments and vibrant creative communities—qualities that Miami Beach officials are eager to promote.
City leaders in Miami Beach have embraced the move, touting expectations of well-paying jobs and a boost to local innovation. The influx of a globally recognized brand like Playboy brings with it the promise of economic growth, new opportunities for local creatives, and a fresh jolt to the city’s already lively cultural scene.
But that’s not all. Playboy is also planning to open a new Playboy Club in Miami Beach, a move that harks back to the brand’s storied past. The club will feature a restaurant and a members-only area inspired by the legendary Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles. For those familiar with the brand’s history, this is a full-circle moment: the very first Playboy Club opened in Chicago in 1960, at a time when the company’s headquarters were still in the Windy City.
Playboy’s journey has always been about reinvention. Founded in Chicago by Hugh Hefner in 1953, the brand made its debut with a magazine featuring Marilyn Monroe on the cover—and as the "Sweetheart of the Month" in a color nude photo inside. The publication quickly became a cultural phenomenon, blending provocative imagery with interviews, fiction, and commentary that challenged the norms of its day.
Over the decades, Playboy evolved from a magazine into a global lifestyle brand, expanding into clubs, merchandise, and a licensing empire that spans continents. The company’s licensing business is, in fact, massive, and the Miami move will see the creation of a significant licensing team to help manage and grow these international partnerships.
Yet, like so many media giants, Playboy has had to adapt to a rapidly changing landscape. In 2020, the company ceased publishing its monthly print magazine, opting instead to focus on digital content. The relaunch of the magazine and the Playmate franchise is now being anchored in Miami, with a new content team set to drive this transformation. As Kohn put it, "We plan on building a content team in Miami with moving the magazine as we’ve relaunched the magazine and the Playmate franchise, basing all of that in Miami. And then we have a massive licensing business on a global basis, and we plan on building a significant licensing team in Miami as well."
The new headquarters is more than just an address—it’s a statement about where Playboy sees itself in the cultural conversation. The studios will not only support digital content creation but will also serve as a hub for the brand’s expanding network of creators. This focus on creators reflects a broader shift in media, where individual voices and online personalities are increasingly central to how brands connect with audiences.
The planned Playboy Club is also a nod to nostalgia, but with a modern twist. The club’s members-only section, inspired by the famed Playboy Mansion, promises exclusivity and glamour, while the restaurant will offer a new gathering spot for Miami’s social scene. For long-time fans, the club is a throwback to the days when Playboy Clubs dotted the globe, offering a mix of entertainment, sophistication, and a touch of the forbidden.
As for the city of Miami Beach, officials are optimistic about what Playboy’s arrival will mean. The brand’s international recognition is expected to draw attention to the city’s creative industries and provide new opportunities for local talent. The move also aligns with Miami Beach’s efforts to position itself as a hub for innovation and cultural leadership, particularly as more companies look to relocate from traditional business centers like Los Angeles and New York.
Of course, the shift isn’t without its challenges. Moving a global headquarters is no small feat, and the brand will need to navigate the complexities of building new teams and establishing itself in a new market. But if Playboy’s history is any guide, reinvention is part of its DNA.
Looking back, it’s remarkable to see how far the brand has come—from that first 1953 magazine cover with Marilyn Monroe to a global licensing powerhouse now embracing digital-first strategies. The Miami move is the latest in a long line of bold decisions that have kept Playboy in the spotlight, even as the world around it has changed.
For Miami Beach, the arrival of Playboy is both a coup and a challenge—a chance to prove itself as the next great home for a brand that has never shied away from controversy or innovation. For Playboy, it’s a chance to start fresh, surrounded by the vibrancy and energy that first drew the company to the city.
As the new headquarters rises above Miami Beach, one thing is clear: Playboy is betting big on its next act, blending its legendary past with a future that’s as bold and unpredictable as the city it now calls home.
