Pinewood Toronto Studios opened for business in July 2008. Pinewood (known then as Filmport) is located in Canada’s newest and largest film and media business district. Boasting one of North America’s largest purpose-built sound stages, it is the anchor for converging creative, media and knowledge-based jobs in a new Innovation, New Technology and Media Cluster.
This landmark studio complex has its roots in the City of Toronto’s overall strategy to strengthen the competitiveness of Toronto’s film industry. As the City’s economic development corporation Toronto Port Lands Company (TPLC) sponsored research identifying the need for purpose-built studio space and larger sound stages in order for Toronto to compete for international large-scale film productions. TPLC (then operating as TEDCO) owned property in the Port Lands that could accommodate this project and assembled an investment consortium. The result was the first private sector investment in revitalizing Toronto’s waterfront.
Pinewood Toronto Studios is a prime example of how TPLC partners with the private sector in order to achieve economic development objectives. This new complex attracts jobs, increases revenues and was able to leverage private-sector investment.
