Burnaby, British Columbia, has officially expanded its footprint as a global production powerhouse with the debut of Lake City Studios. The 1.3-million-square-foot film production complex represents a massive infusion of infrastructure into “Hollywood North,” providing the high-end capacity required for the next generation of prestige television and feature films.
The $350-million facility, which features up to 21 sound stages, is a subsidiary of Bridge Studios and is owned by local real estate investor Larco Investments. Its arrival comes at a pivotal moment for the region. after a volatile period marked by pandemic shutdowns and the 2023 industry-wide strikes by the Writers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild, British Columbia is seeing a resurgence in demand for its specialized services.
The scale of the investment reflects a strategic bet on the province’s ability to attract “big-budget” content. While B.C. Has long been a favorite for filming, the shift toward high-end, episodic streaming series—such as the Emmy-winning Shōgun and HBO’s The Last of Us—has created a desperate need for purpose-built spaces that can handle complex sets and massive crews without the limitations of converted warehouses.
Lake City Studios is Burnaby, B.C.’s newest film production complex. Sitting at 1.3-million square feet and a subsidiary of Bridge Studios, it’s one of North America’s largest purpose-built film production facilities.Supplied/Arc Studio Architecture
Engineering the “Perfect Silence”
For a production house, the most valuable commodity isn’t just space—it is silence. Most large-scale studios are relegated to remote industrial zones to avoid ambient noise, but Lake City Studios is situated steps away from the Vancouver SkyTrain’s Lake City Way station. To make this urban location viable, the facility required an unprecedented level of acoustic engineering.
Craig Mitchell, the lead architect and principal at Vancouver’s Arc Studio Architecture, worked with acoustic consultants to ensure that sound does not bleed between stages or leak in from the city. The interior walls separating the sound stages are approximately five feet wide, featuring layers of sound-absorbing blankets. The exterior is encased in 9.5 inches of thick concrete to attenuate external noise.
This level of soundproofing is critical for modern cinema, where sensitive microphones can pick up low-frequency vibrations that are imperceptible to the human ear but ruin a high-fidelity recording. The physical construction of the site was equally massive; the project utilized 8,600 tonnes of structural steel and enough concrete to fill 30 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Depending on configuration, the studio has 18 to 21 sound stages that are completely soundproof and range from 7,900 to 42,000 square feet. To ensure no noise, the architect built thick walls on either side, with sound-absorbing blankets layered in between.Supplied/Arc Studio Architecture
Technical Specifications and Capacity
The facility is designed to be modular, allowing production companies to configure the space based on the scale of their project. Beyond the sound stages, the complex integrates a massive support ecosystem to keep thousands of workers on-site.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Total Footprint | 1.3 Million Square Feet |
| Sound Stages | 18 to 21 (7,900 to 42,000 sq ft each) |
| Office Space | 100,000 Square Feet |
| Support Space | 300,000+ Square Feet (Makeup, Wardrobe, Set Design) |
| Ceiling Heights | 50 to 75 Feet |
The height of the stages is a particular draw for action-heavy productions. By eliminating support columns and providing clear spans, the studio allows for the installation of complex aerial camera rigs and the execution of high-altitude stunts in a controlled, safe environment.
A Model for Sustainable Production
As the industry faces increasing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint, Lake City Studios is positioning itself as a green alternative. The facility is powered by renewable BC Hydro electricity and utilizes an energy-efficient air-to-air heat-pump system that transfers excess thermal energy between different zones of the building to regulate temperature.
Environmental considerations extended beyond the building’s energy use. A 40,000-square-foot green roof helps manage stormwater drainage and reduce heat absorption. The developers preserved the western side of the site to protect Eagle Creek, a critical salmon-bearing stream. According to Jesse Dill, the City of Burnaby’s development director, over seven per cent of the total site is dedicated to streamside conservation.
Marnie Gee, the British Columbia film commissioner at Creative BC, notes that these efforts align with the province’s “Reel Green” initiative, which encourages sustainable production practices across the industry. By integrating these features into the architecture, the studio makes the province a “better sell” to major studios that have their own corporate ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) mandates.
Lake City Studios has 100,000 square feet of office space and more than 300,000 square feet for set design, hair, makeup, wardrobe and more. It’s also steps away from the SkyTrain’s Lake City Way station, making for an easy commute for roughly 5,000 employees.Supplied/Arc Studio Architecture
Economic Impact and the Road Ahead
The opening of the studio is expected to act as a catalyst for the surrounding Burnaby neighborhood. With the capacity to employ roughly 5,000 people and parking for 1,000 vehicles (including 200 EV charging stations), the facility creates a significant daily influx of workers. City officials expect this to stimulate the growth of accessory commercial businesses, such as restaurants and service providers, to support the workforce.
While specific production details for current tenants remain under embargo, the facility has been in regular use since opening last summer. This steady activity signals a recovery from the 17 per cent decline in film and TV revenues British Columbia experienced during the strike-heavy year of 2023.
The next phase for the region involves leveraging this new capacity to attract even more diverse content, including the upcoming Every Year After series for Amazon Prime. As the facility continues to integrate into the local economy, the city of Burnaby will monitor the site’s impact on local infrastructure and the potential for further studio proposals in the area.
We want to hear from you. How do you reckon the expansion of “Hollywood North” will affect the local economy and the quality of streaming content? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
