Bowmer + Kirkland appointed on Crown Works
Despite an investor still being sought for the £450m film studio, the construction firm has been brought onto the project team with hopes that construction can begin by spring.
Following the withdrawal of previous investor Cain International last July, CBRE was hired to find potential operators, investors, and developers for the scheme.
The 1.7m sq ft scheme received full planning permission in March 2024, with the 82-acre plot to be transformed into one of Europe’s largest film studios.
Remediation works are almost complete on site, funded through a £25m initial investment from the overall £120m package secured from the government and the North East Combined Authority.
Designed by 4D Studio Architects, the wider project team includes Lichfields, landscape architect Southern Green, structural engineer Hydrick, M&E consultant Desco, and quantity surveyor Towner & Townsend.
Sunderland City Council leader Michael Mordey said NECA’s decision to create the Riverside Sunderland Creative Mayoral Development Zone, which comes with £300,000 of initial funding, will unlock the first phase of the film studios’ construction.
The project is part of the council’s ambition to put Sunderland on an international stage, along with the £600m investment in the Riverside Sunderland regeneration scheme, which will add around 1,000 homes and 2,500 residents to the city centre, alongside workspace and retail.
Figures from North East Screen show a 131% increase over three years in production spend in the region.
