Netflix has officially expanded its production footprint in Canada with the opening of a massive, purpose-built animation studio in Vancouver. The facility, which spans approximately 111,000 sq. Ft., is designed to serve as a primary engine for the streaming giant’s animated feature production, further integrating the city into the global pipeline for high-finish visual effects and animation.
Located at 110 East 5th Ave. Within the Mount Pleasant Industrial Area, the new Netflix Animation Studios is housed inside M4, a nine-storey office building completed in 2025. The site is a central piece of the Main Alley tech campus, a growing cluster of creative and residential developments designed to attract the region’s growing tech and entertainment workforce.
The opening marks a strategic transition for the company. The studio is the successor to the Australia-founded Animal Logic, an independent animation and VFX powerhouse that Netflix acquired in July 2022. While Animal Logic had previously announced in May 2022 that it would be the anchor tenant for the M4 building, the facility now operates as Netflix’s dedicated in-house animation division.
The investment is already yielding tangible economic results for British Columbia. According to Netflix, the construction of the studio’s interior spaces contributed more than $50 million to the provincial GDP, and the company projects that ongoing operations will add approximately $100 million per year to the local economy.
A Specialized Hub for Feature Animation
Unlike generic office spaces, the Vancouver studio was engineered specifically for the rigors of animated feature production. The layout integrates high-end production technology with expansive collaborative zones, designed to bridge the gap between early creative development and the heavy technical lifting of large-scale animation workflows.
The facility currently houses more than 450 staff members. To support this workforce, Netflix has equipped the space with a variety of specialized amenities, including an auditorium-style production theatre for screenings, multi-purpose meeting rooms, and a top-floor cafeteria. The design also includes a games room and various breakout spaces to foster the “creative collision” often sought by major studios.
The studio is poised for further growth. Netflix expects to integrate employees from Eyeline, its in-house visual effects division, into the site. This move will effectively transform the M4 location into a combined animation and VFX production hub, streamlining the pipeline from initial character design to final composite shots.
Strategic Real Estate and Infrastructure
The M4 building itself has been the subject of significant real estate movement. In the spring of 2025, Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust acquired the remaining stake in the building from local developer Westbank in a deal valued at approximately $90 million. The building, designed by Vancouver-based Henriquez Partners Architects, totals roughly 195,000 sq. Ft. Of floor area.
The property is strategically positioned for accessibility. It sits at the southeast corner of East 5th Avenue and Quebec Street, placing it within a five-minute walk of the future Mount Pleasant Station. This station is part of the Millennium Line’s Broadway extension, which is scheduled to open in Fall 2027, providing a direct transit link for the studio’s workforce.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Floor Area | ~195,000 sq. Ft. |
| Netflix Studio Space | ~111,000 sq. Ft. |
| Current Owner | Allied Properties REIT |
| Architect | Henriquez Partners Architects |
| Tech Office Space | 167,000 sq. Ft. |
Fueling the Next Wave of Content
The Vancouver team is already leveraging the new space to develop Steps, an upcoming feature film that offers a reimagining of the story of Cinderella’s sisters. The production has attracted a high-profile voice cast, including Ali Wong, Stephanie Tsu, and Amanda Seyfried.
This investment follows a string of successes for Netflix’s Vancouver-based animation efforts. The region contributed to Leo, which maintained a presence on the global top 10 English film list for 10 weeks and hit number one in 62 countries. Similarly, Thelma the Unicorn reached the top 10 in 72 countries.
Amir Nasrabadi, Chief Operating Officer of Netflix Animation Studios, cited the city’s deep talent pool as a primary driver for the expansion. “Vancouver is home to some of the world’s most incredible talent, and we’re lucky to have many of them in our studio,” Nasrabadi said. “We’re proud of what we’ve created here and even more excited about the function to come.”
Broadening the B.C. Production Footprint
While the animation studio is a new milestone, it fits into a larger pattern of Netflix utilizing British Columbia as a primary production hub. The province has hosted a variety of high-budget projects, ranging from live-action series to massive fantasy adaptations.
The economic impact of these productions is substantial. The first season of Avatar: The Last Airbender generated over $150 million in economic activity, while the fifth season of Virgin River contributed $44.4 million to the provincial economy. Other regional projects include The Wrong Paris and TIME OUT, with upcoming titles such as Remarkably Bright Creatures and Crew Girl also slated for the area.
As the studio continues to scale, the next major milestone for the facility’s accessibility will be the Fall 2027 opening of the Mount Pleasant Station, which is expected to further integrate the M4 campus into the city’s transit network.
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