First Soundstage of Hamilton, Ontario Film and TV Production Hub Opens February 1, 2021
HAMILTON, ON (December 2, 2020) Aeon Studio Group (Aeon) announced today that Aeon Bayfront Studios, located in its Hamilton Studio District mixed-use development, will be open for business on February 1, 2021. The announcement marks a decisive step toward realizing Aeon’s mission, which is to build Hamilton into an international hub for film, television and digital media production.
Aeon Bayfront Studios is located at 243 Queen Street North, Hamilton and comprises an approximately 80,000 square foot facility on a total of 7.5 acres of land. Aeon Bayfront Studios is among the best studios in Ontario by virtue of its size, ceiling height, clear span, on-site amenities and proximity to transportation and ancillary production services. A first class facility ready for service, the site features:
· 27,000 square foot main stage with 50-foot ceilings and clear span
· 40,000+ square feet of additional production space of varying ceiling heights
· 6,500+ square feet of furnished office
· Paint shop in an out-building with two paint booths
· Approximately 4 acres of outdoor space, cleared and treed, suitable for backlot uses
According to Aeon Partner Mike Bruce, the new studio is a unique addition to the stock of studio space in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). “There are only a few facilities in southern Ontario that can cater to productions requiring large clear span stages with high ceilings and significant outdoor space,” said Bruce. “243 Queen Street North is that facility and the first of its kind in Hamilton.”
The studio is located across the street from the Barton Tiffany lands, where Aeon is planning to build the rest of the Hamilton Studio District, a Live-Work-Play hub for the creative industries that will feature studios, offices, retail and residential space.
“Aeon is excited to work with its West Harbour neighbours to continue to revitalize the area and make it an ever better place to live, work and play,” said Aeon partner Jeff Anders.
“Aeon Studio Group’s announcement of the opening of a studio space in early 2021 helps demonstrate Hamilton’s continued film sector growth and key role in building Ontario’s film and screen industry. Hamilton is Canada’s third-largest film cluster and is home to over 9,000 people who work in the film industry and over 900 film businesses. The opening of this studio will create high-value, high-paying jobs for people in the film industry right here in Hamilton. Aeon Studio Group is a great partner and I look forward to our continued collaboration,” said Mayor Fred Eisenberger.
According to Debbie Spence, Creative Industries business development consultant for the City, film is one of Hamilton’s top industries for consistent and accelerated growth. “Additional studio space of this significant size presents the opportunity for business growth and talent development for Hamilton’s film industry and other industries that benefit from film production spend, such as hospitality and accommodations, VFX, and construction,” said Ms. Spence.
Aeon’s real estate partner in its multimillion dollar purchase of 243 Queen Street North is Forge & Foster, a Hamilton-based investment firm whose mission is to generate positive social and economic value for communities, tenants, investors, and other stakeholders through commercial real estate projects in Hamilton and across Southern Ontario.
“So much of what Aeon wants to accomplish with this project is a perfect match with our desire to invest in the future of this great city,” said Joe Accardi, CEO of Forge & Foster. “We knew immediately that we wanted to get on board.”
AVL Manufacturing, which currently operates in 243 Queen Street North, will be moving to a new location in the Hamilton area.
Aeon also announced today the launch of its location representation service, which helps productions find unique filming locations in the Hamilton area, and helps Hamilton-area property owners offer their spaces up for rent to the film and TV production industry. “We have a growing portfolio of diverse locations for every filming need, all close to one another in the Hamilton area,” says Aeon partner Robbie David. “Filming in Hamilton, always easy, just got easier.”
About Aeon Studio Group
Aeon is developer and operator of film & television studios and related spaces. Its principals are Jeff Anders, Mike Bruce, Robbie David, Phil Lefko, Stephany Mandin. For more information, email info@aeonstudiogroup.com, call 416-898-3105, or visit www.aeonstudiogroup.com.
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Media Contact
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