Universal Studios to add eight soundstages

Universal Studios is set to build eight new soundstages as part of efforts to boost production at its studio lot.

This comes at a time when Los Angeles is seeing a production boom once more with projects from the likes of HBO Max, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video shooting in the area.

“NBCUniversal is doubling down on its commitment to producing content in Los Angeles,” said Michael Moore, president and general manager of West Coast studio operations.

The new stages are expected to be built by next summer, bringing the total number of stages on the lot to 37.

The new stages designed by Bastien & Associates Inc. will have rooftop solar panels that will allow Universal Studios to reduce its reliance on the power grid during peak hours of electricity use.

Sustainability is a key part of studio plans, as our new report shows.

Outside the stages will be room for production basecamps, where trucks, equipment and actors’ trailers are placed.

“We’re creating more acreage out of what was previously unusable land,” Moore added.

The Los Angeles area already ranks as the world’s leader in soundstage capacity with more than 5.2 million square feet of certified space, according to FilmLA data.