William F. White International (WFW) has acquired Studio City Toronto as part of an expansion of its studio space in Canada.

The sale closed on Dec. 2 and includes the acquisition of Studio City Rentals, adding it to the list of subsidiaries under WFW parentco Sunbelt Rentals. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The studio space was previously Showline Studios before it was purchased by the City of Toronto and leased to Studio City Rentals in 2018. Studio City built an additional three sound stages – bringing the total to six – including the 36,000-square-foot Jumbo Stage, known for its high ceilings without columns. WFW will take over the lease from the City of Toronto and oversee operations, with Studio City Toronto maintaining its name.

The acquisition brings WFW’s total owned and managed studio space in Toronto to 1.55 million square feet. The studio operator and equipment supplier already houses one of its LED volumes for virtual production at Studio City Toronto’s facilities.

Studio City Rentals was founded in 2019 by Chris Nethercoat and Mike Kirilenko and owns locations in Toronto, L.A., and Vancouver. The company provides rigging and scaffolding equipment to film and television productions.

Kirilenko said in a statement that the acquisition was the “opportunity we have been waiting for,” adding that the company is “perfectly positioned for rapid growth.”

Garin Josey, EVP and COO of WFW, added that Studio City is the “perfect complement” to the company’s growing studio and equipment rental business.

WFW has continued to expand since it was acquired by Sunbelt Rentals in 2019, most recently moving into the equipment rental market in the U.K. with the acquisition of Movietech Camera Rentals and PKE Lighting.

Image courtesy of William F. White International