Aeon Studio Group reveals vision for new studio district in Hamilton

A local media group is hoping construction will begin within a year for a film production district near Hamilton’s West Harbour.

Aeon Studio Group says the Hamilton Studio District will be a hub for the creative industries and will include studios, offices, retail and residential space.

“The vision has always been to build a centre of gravity, a live-work-play community with a creative-forward aesthetic,” said Mike Bruce, co-founder of Aeon Studio Group, in an interview on Morning Live Friday.

“We want to build some purposeful studios, crew training facilities and a public centre where you can host markets, screenings and act as a networking area.”

Aeon Bayfront Studios is an approximately 80,000 sq. ft. facility located at 243 Queen St. North. It features a 27,000 sq. ft. main stage, over 40,000 sq. ft. of production space and four acres of outdoor space.

Bruce said more film production companies are viewing Hamilton as a viable option to create movies, television and media.

“Our first production was the Stephen King remake of Firestarter last year and we just had a show leave,” he said.

“We have another show moving in in two weeks and they’ll be here until the end of May, and the inquiries keep coming.”

Hamilton city councillors, however, have criticized the project saying there has been a lack of public consultation.

Bruce said Aeon Studio Group is now undergoing this process and will present their findings to the city council soon.

“If all goes well, we’re hoping in the next year or year and a half we’ll start breaking ground on the first phase of our efforts,” he said.