Blackstone and Hudson Pacific Properties Announce Plans for New World-Class Film and TV Studios in the UK
2.8.2021 10:00:00 EEST | Business Wire | Press release
Blackstone (NYSE: BX) and Hudson Pacific Properties (NYSE: HPP) plan to create a major new centre for film, TV and digital production in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210802005278/en/
Artist Impression No. 1 (Photo: Business Wire)
Funds managed by Blackstone Real Estate Partners and Hudson Pacific Properties acquired a 91-acre site, 17 miles north of central London, through a joint venture for £120 million. The acquisition, with an expected total investment of over £700 million, will be the partners’ first expansion of their Sunset Studios platform outside of the US.
The proposed development, which is subject to planning permission, would transform the site into one of the largest world-class film and television studio campuses. The project is expected to create over 4,500 permanent jobs for Broxbourne and the surrounding community and contribute more than £300 million annually into the local economy.
This transaction is a continuation of Blackstone’s existing joint venture with Hudson Pacific, a leading Los Angeles-based office and studio owner and operator. Together, Blackstone and Hudson Pacific own a media portfolio that totals 3.5 million square feet, including 35 active sound stages and on-site creative offices, as well as development rights. Sunset Studios has hosted some of the biggest small and big screen hits including When Harry Met Sally and La La Land as well as numerous Academy Award winning films.
James Seppala, Head of Blackstone Real Estate Europe, said: “We are excited to expand our partnership with Hudson Pacific into the UK, and intend to deliver a world-class studio facility that will help ensure that the UK continues to be a premier destination for content production globally. This is a continuation of our thematic investment focus and long-term conviction in media, entertainment and content creation.”
Victor Coleman, Chairman and CEO of Hudson Pacific, said: “We are thrilled to expand our Sunset Studios platform in the UK, a global hub for film and television production. With our expertise developing and operating state-of-the-art media campuses and Blackstone’s resources and existing market presence, we are confident this facility will be in high demand from leading content creators. We look forward to working with Broxbourne Council to ensure the project has a meaningful positive impact on the local community.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “This investment is excellent news for the UK’s film and TV industry, pumping hundreds of millions of pounds into the local economy and creating thousands of jobs for the people of Hertfordshire. The creative industries are at the heart of our plans to build back better. This will be a hub for both UK and international productions, showcasing home-grown talent on the global stage.”
Oliver Dowden MP, Secretary of State at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, said: “This new studio is yet another vote of confidence in the UK’s booming film and TV industry. Through the British Film Commission, we’re supporting the development of stage spaces like this across the UK - boosting the local economy and backing our world-class creatives to make the next Bond blockbuster or bingeworthy box set.”
Cllr. Lewis Cocking, Leader of Broxbourne Borough Council, said: “This represents a fantastic opportunity for the people of our borough. Creative Industries are of strategic importance to us and the creation of over 4,500 permanent new jobs and the associated boost to the local economy is just what we need following the pandemic. We look forward to working with Blackstone and Hudson Pacific to help deliver significant positive change in Broxbourne.”
Artist impressions of the proposed development can be downloaded here and here.
About Blackstone
Blackstone is one of the world’s leading investment firms. We seek to create positive economic impact and long-term value for our investors, the companies we invest in, and the communities in which we work. We do this by using extraordinary people and flexible capital to help companies solve problems. Our $684 billion in assets under management include investment vehicles focused on private equity, real estate, public debt and equity, life sciences, growth equity, opportunistic, non-investment grade credit, real assets and secondary funds, all on a global basis. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com. Follow Blackstone on Twitter @Blackstone.
About Hudson Pacific Properties
Hudson Pacific is a real estate investment trust with a portfolio of office and studio properties totaling nearly 20 million square feet, including land for development. Focused on premier West Coast epicenters of innovation, media and technology, its anchor tenants include Fortune 500 and leading growth companies such as Netflix, Google, Square, Uber, NFL Enterprises and more. Hudson Pacific is publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol HPP and listed as a component of the S&P MidCap 400 Index. For more information visit HudsonPacificProperties.com.
Notes to editors: list of notable productions that have been filmed at Sunset Studios include:
- Project Runway
- Scandal
- X-Men (2000)
- When Harry Met Sally
- Karate Kid
- I Love you, Man
- Zoolander
- La La Land
- Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
- True Blood
- Fresh Prince of Bel Air
- Golden Girls
- Hannah Montana
- The Bridge on the River Kwai (Academy Awards Best Picture winner)
- Lost Horizon
- Six Feet Under
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210802005278/en/
Contact information
Media
For Blackstone
Paul Stephenson
Hanbury
paul.stephenson@hanburystrategy.com
Tel: 07725 610 696
Niamh Fogarty
Hanbury
niamh.fogarty@hanburystrategy.com
Tel: 07946 813 843
For Hudson Pacific Properties
Glesni Thomas
FleishmanHillard
glesni.thomas@fleishman.com
Tel: 07528 383 508
Julia Hipkiss
FleishmanHillard
julia.hipkiss@fleishman.com
Tel: 07827896036
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Venture Global Commences Commercial Operations of Phase One of Plaquemines LNG1.11.2026 17:40:00 EET | Press release
On October 31, 2026, Venture Global (NYSE: VG) commenced commercial operations of the first phase of its second LNG export project – Plaquemines LNG – and the sale of low-cost, U.S. LNG to the first phase’s long-term customers. The commercial operations date (COD) for Phase 1 of Plaquemines LNG was reached in just over 53 months from the final investment decision on the project, making it among the fastest greenfield LNG projects ever completed. “Achieving commercial operations at the first phase of our second LNG project in 53 months is a testament to our team's relentless dedication and hard work,” said Venture Global CEO Mike Sabel. “We are thrilled to hit another major milestone that enables us to continue delivering reliable, affordable American LNG to the global market. We deeply appreciate the collaboration of our regulators and supply chain partners, whose shared commitment helped us deliver this project safely and on schedule.” The first post-COD cargo from Plaquemines Phase 1
From the Chishui to the Han: "Moutai Night" Debuts in Seoul to Bridge Cultural Connections1.11.2026 14:44:00 EET | Press release
On October 25, the 2026 “Moutai Night” was held in Seoul, South Korea, under the theme “Born by the Chishui River, Fragrance Along the Han River.” Over a hundred guests from China and South Korea gathered around the Han River, sharing the distinctive appeal of Chinese baijiu, and fostering cultural exchange between the two countries through fine liquor and culture. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261101047521/en/ The event featured an exhibition on Moutai’s brewing techniques and brand history. Hands-on experiences with Miao batik and silverwork showcased Guizhou culture, while creative cocktails brought Chinese spirits into dialogue with Korean tastes. A city-themed video, dance performances and a violin performance rounded out the program, as guests exchanged views on liquor culture in a warm atmosphere. As a flagship cultural initiative designed for global audiences, “Moutai Night” made its Seoul debut, fol
Vedanta Aluminium’s Q2FY27: Profit doubles to INR 6,187 Cr, EBITDA rises 83% YoY31.10.2026 15:12:00 EET | Press release
Vedanta Aluminium Metal Limited (BSE: 544780 & NSE: VAML), India’s largest aluminium producer, announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter and half year ended 30 September 2026, delivering solid financial and operational performance. Revenue increased to INR 22,066 crore, up 41% YoY, supported by higher volumes and improved marketing mix. EBITDA stood at INR 10,192 crore, up 83% YoY, with an EBITDA margin of ~46%. Profit after tax stood at INR 6,187 crore, more than doubling YoY with an increase of 105%. VAML strengthened its balance sheet during the quarter, reducing net debt by INR 3,090 crore QoQ, with Net Debt/EBITDA improving to 0.7x from 0.9x in Q1FY27. The company’s credit profile was validated with India Ratings upgrading its credit rating to AA+ (Stable), alongside rating reaffirmations from ICRA and CRISIL. Operationally, VAML achieved its highest-ever quarterly aluminium production of 649 KT, up 3% QoQ and 5% YoY. Value-added production reached a record 432 KT,
United States Signs Participation Contract for Expo 2030 Riyadh, Strengthening Momentum For Global Participation31.10.2026 10:38:00 EET | Press release
The United States of America has signed its Participation Contract for Expo 2030 Riyadh, marking a significant milestone in the World Expo’s preparations and further strengthening the momentum for international participation in the global event. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261031669001/en/ The Participation Contract was signed by His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during a bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of the 2026 G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia. The signing marks an important step in the United States’ journey towards Expo 2030 Riyadh, paving the way for the development of its pavilion, programming and visitor experience. It also reinforces the growing international commitment to Expo 2030 Riyadh, as countries move from confirming their participation to actively sha
ADNEC Group Kickstarts November with Two of the World’s Largest Events in the Energy and Tourism Sectors31.10.2026 05:53:00 EET | Press release
ADNEC Group, a Modon company, begins November by hosting two of the world’s most significant international events in the same week. ADIPEC 2026, the world’s largest energy event, takes place at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi from 2 to 5 November. Meanwhile, World Travel Market (WTM) London, one of the global travel industry’s leading gatherings, takes place at the Group’s Excel London venue from 3 to 5 November. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261030918463/en/ ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi (Photo: AETOSWire) The two events, held simultaneously at the Group’s largest venues in the UAE and the UK, reflect ADNEC Group’s capability to deliver large-scale international events across multiple markets. ADIPEC has grown alongside the venue since it was first held at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi in 2006. This year’s edition is set to be the largest in the event’s history, occupying the venue’s entire 153,000 square metres of exhibition
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom