In just over 60 days, Aeon Studio Group will take a step towards building its long-awaited Hamilton, ON film and TV production hub when Aeon Bayfront Studios opens its doors.

Based in Hamilton, just 50 minutes from Toronto, the developer and operator of film and TV studios and related spaces said the location consists of an approximately 80,000 square foot facility on a total of 7.5 acres of land, according to a press release.

Of note, the site features a 27,000-square-foot main stage with 50-foot ceilings; 40,000-plus square feet of additional production space with various ceiling heights; 6,500-plus square feet of furnished office space; a paint shop in an out-building; and approximately four acres of outdoor space suitable for backlot uses.

One of the top filming locations in Ontario, Hamilton saw over 140 productions shot in the area in 2019, according to the City of Hamilton. As well, it has over 9,000 film workers and more than 900 film businesses “making it the third largest cluster of film businesses in Canada.”

Aeon previously unveiled plans to bring a 15-acre film, TV and digital media production campus called the Hamilton Studio District to Hamilton’s Barton-Tiffany lands in June 2019.

A “live-work-play” development, the project was described as consisting of soundstages, office buildings for film and industry suppliers, residential and retail space, a crew training facility and collaborative creative workspaces for the artistic community. Aeon’s principals include Jeff Anders, Mike Bruce, Robbie David, Phil Lefko and Stephany Mandin.

Notably, Aeon Bayfront Studios is located across the street from the Barton-Tiffany lands, where Aeon said it is planning to build the rest of its hub for the creative industries, which will consist of studios, offices, retail and residential space, according to a release. Aeon partner Anders told Playback Daily that Aeon expects to build its second studio in Hamilton as part of its hub in 2021 and more in 2022, noting that the district will be built out over several years.

In terms of Aeon Bayfront Studios, opening on Feb. 1, 2021, a release from Aeon said its real estate partner in the purchase of the location was Hamilton-based investment firm Forge & Foster. As well, AVL Manufacturing, which currently operates there, will move out.

Alongside the news, Aeon also announced the launch of its location representation service, which aims to help productions find unique filming locations in the Hamilton area and property owners offer their spaces up for rent for the production industry. Anders told Playback Daily that the Resident Evil reboot was among those that have signed up.

Further, Anders said when it comes to next steps, Aeon and its partners are focused on buying raw land and existing buildings for the development of film and TV places for use; that Aeon is building its location representation business and developing other ancillary services to make Hamilton a more production-friendly place; and working with industry unions, local academic institutions and other groups to build out the production workforce in the region.

Image: Aeon Bayfront Studios at 243 Queen Street North in Hamilton, Ontario is the first soundstage to open as part of the new studio district in Hamilton. Conceptual rendering designed by ESR Design Co.