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$100M movie complex finally breaks ground
First phase of FILMPORT will now house seven sound stages
Natalie Alcoba
National Post
Thursday, September 07, 2006
The earth is now moving at the site of a massive, $100-million film production complex in Toronto's Port Lands.
Construction of FILMPORT began on Aug. 31, later than had been hoped but just in time to meet the deadline for breaking ground on the project.
Ken Ferguson, president of Toronto Film Studios, said the project's first phase will be bigger than previously announced: It will house seven sound stages instead of two, and the blueprint for the signature Mega-Stage --touted as big enough to fit the Parthenon -- has grown, which will make it the largest sound stage in the world.
Mr. Ferguson said smaller sound stages will be ready by the end of next year; the Mega-Stage should be available to host major productions such as Spider-Man by early 2008.
"When complete it will go far beyond a simple cluster of sound stages," Mr. Ferguson said during a news conference at Toronto Film Studios' Eastern Avenue address. "FILMPORT will become Toronto's newest business community, supporting the creative sector with a rich infrastructure of recreational, cultural and tourist amenities."
Last fall, Toronto Film Studios, one of Canada's largest film studio operators, signed a 99-year ground lease agreement with the Toronto Economic Development Corporation for the construction of FILMPORT. At the time, opponents were critical of the secrecy surrounding the lease agreement, even though it is standard practice not to publicize most details about such commercial contracts. In December, the Ontario Municipal Board gave its final approval for development of the sprawling film and media complex on Commissioners Street, west of Carlaw Avenue.
Mr. Ferguson said he had hoped to break ground at the beginning of the summer, but it took longer than expected to sort out financial agreements. He said he expects to announce the various financial partners in the coming weeks.
FILMPORT will be surrounded by 21 acres of land ripe for commercial development; the idea is to create a vibrant movie-making mecca in Toronto, complemented by cafes, bistros and other amenities.
On the site, a four-storey, glass-walled building will create more than 65,000 square feet of furnished production offices.
The land that will house the Mega-Stage has already been cleared. Mr. Ferguson expects drilling work will begin by the end of the month but noted it would likely be spring before any buildings start sprouting.
The Mega-Stage will occupy 45,000 square feet of space and will be covered by a vaulted, 100-foot ceiling. It is meant to accommodate the largest of movie sets for blockbuster features such as Spider-Man III and Die Hard IV. The six other sound stages will follow a similar layout but will be significantly smaller.
FILMPORT is designed to reverse the tide of feature films that have chosen other Canadian cities, such as Vancouver, over Toronto because of a lack of suitable filming space. While Toronto still remains one of the country's movie capitals, Mr. Ferguson admitted that production has slowed down for a number of reasons -- among them, the soaring loonie. "It certainly makes us check our figures," he said.
Still, he said what this city lacks is a movie-making infrastructure that will draw business.
"If we provide good, quality space, [movie companies] will fill it," he said. "This is what they're telling us in L.A."
But for all the positive feedback, Hollywood production companies will remain skeptical until construction is well underway, he said.
Once complete, FILMPORT will be able to accommodate four or five feature films at a time, each commanding a budget of about $30-million. It will have room for two $100-million blockbusters at a time. The complex could make as much as $2-million from each big picture.
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four-storey, glass-walled building....
The Mega-Stage will occupy 45,000 square feet of space and will be covered by a vaulted, 100-foot ceiling
I suspect they won't be architectural gems from the sounds of it.