Dubai Studio City awards master plan contract to HOK

A team from HOK has started working closely with the Dubai Studio City team to translate the vision for the City into a blueprint for its film, broadcast and music production industry cluster. The master plan will detail the ground design and layout for the entire community.

The AED 400 million Dubai Studio City project was launched in February this year to foster the growth of the broadcast, film and music production industries in the region. To be built within the Dubailand complex, it aims to build a large cluster of companies from across the industry value-chain.

The first phase of Dubai Studio City will cover about 20% of the total area of 22 million square feet. A major part of the initial development will service the immediate demand from broadcasters and production companies in Dubai Media City. Currently, there are 53 broadcasters operating over 130 channels in Dubai Media City.

The facilities in the first phase will include film and television studios, boutique studios, commercial offices, back-lots, film and theatre academies, warehouses and a cinema multiplex. Construction on the first phase is expected to be completed by the last quarter of 2006.

"We chose to partner with HOK to develop Dubai Studio City's master plan because of its vast expertise in designing film industry-related clusters like the Toronto Waterfront Studios, Goa International Film Festival and the Universal Studio City and E Channel Studios in the US," says Dr Amina Al Rustamani, Executive Director of Media, Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone. "By going with the industry specialists, Dubai Studio City is affirming its commitment to the development of the industry both locally and globally."

"This is an exciting project because it demonstrates a serious approach to initiating a completely new industry in Dubai, with all the best tools," said Robert Marshall, Group Vice President at HOK Planning Group. "Dubai Studio City is the logical follow-up to the success of Dubai Media City, and will consolidate Dubai's communications industry growth and its increasing profile as a leading media hub. HOK is proud to be associated with this innovative project," he added.

Dubai Studio City aims to build a vibrant community of companies from across the spectrum of the film, broadcast and music production industry. These include production companies, support service providers offering production and post-production facilities, animation studios and dubbing, makeup, costume design, stage design and building, casting service providers, telnet agencies (which help transmit media-rich content) as well as providers of telecine (cinema framing technology) and lab facilities.

Companies can build their own studios and facilities in custom-sized plots in the City. The cluster will also house film and television schools and academies and companies providing location shooting, location management services and music recording services.

The City will feature retail and commercial outlets and provide land for development of residential and other entertainment facilities. Public facilities such as medical centres and civil defence units will be located in the City. A helipad for both celebrity and emergency uses will also be created.