Boosting the Entertainment Industry: East End Studios opens new campus in the Arts District
Boosting the Entertainment Industry: East End Studios opens new campus in the Arts District 01.28.2026 | Downtown Los Angeles NewsEast End Studios has opened a new campus in the Arts District, building upon city and state initiatives to boost production in the entertainment industry. The new Mission Campus is a 255,000 square foot facility providing a slew of services for creatives, including production facilities, five sound states and office space. The campus, which broke ground in July 2024, generated 1,500 construction jobs and is expected to create an additional 750 permanent jobs.“The Downtown Los Angeles Arts District has been a key focus for us for many years as one of the region’s most dynamic development markets,” said Shep Wainwright, Managing Partner at East End Studios. “Its deep cultural roots and unique character make it an ideal setting for a world-class, fully integrated film and television studio campus.” Wainwright added, “We are deeply grateful for the support of the City of Los Angeles and Mayor Karen Bass, whose leadership helps ensure Los Angeles remains the global center of the entertainment industry.”The City of Los Angeles has taken several steps over recent months to bolster the entertainment industry. Mayor Karen Bass’ Executive Directive 11 announced planned improvements to generate growth, including the Central Library reopening filming for major productions and the Port of Los Angeles cutting the time it takes to review filming applications. “LA is the creative capital of the world with our entertainment industry being core to this city’s history and the backbone of our economy,” Bass said. “When we invest in our signature industry we are creating good-paying union jobs, expanding creative outlets and spurring new economic opportunities. I want to congratulate East End Studios on this milestone and look forward to continuing our partnership to deliver for Angelenos.”Furthermore, city staff are preparing a proposal to return to lower fees for filming at the Griffith Observatory. The LA Department of Transportation has extended staff hours to ensure on-street signage posting requests and changes for local productions are made in a timely manner, the Mayor’s Office said, and has pre-approved certain closures in Downtown Los Angeles, allowing FilmLA — the city’s film permitting partner — to authorize curb lane and local street closures.“East End Studios’ continued investment in Los Angeles is a strong vote of confidence in our city’s creative economy and workforce. The opening of the Mission Campus not only expands world-class production capacity in the Arts District, but also reflects a long-term commitment to keeping jobs, talent, and innovation here in Los Angeles,” said Denise Gutches, CEO, FilmLA. “Congratulations to the entire East End Studios team on this impressive achievement and their growing success in our region.”At the state level, Gov. Gavin Newsom has promoted the growth of the entertainment industry through the expanded Film & TV Tax Credit Program. As part of that initiative, “Baywatch” and other major television productions are returning to LA. Many of the jobs that are generated are union jobs, such as with Teamsters Local 399.“Collaboration is key to protect, stabilize and grow our film and television industry and the important jobs it creates across our state and right here in the heart of Los Angeles,” said Lindsay Dougherty, Teamsters Local 399, Principal Officer & Motion Picture Division Director. “It is the commitment of Hollywood Teamsters, and Hollywood Labor, to continue the advocacy work for programs, policies and investment in infrastructure that promotes a vibrant industry for our members and participates in a thriving local and state economy. While the work continues to remain competitive, we are excited to celebrate the official opening of East End Studios. Now, let’s fill these stages.” go to link
East End Studios Opens Arts District Campus, Signaling Long-Term Confidence in L.A. Production
East End Studios Opens Arts District Campus, Signaling Long-Term Confidence in L.A. Production 01.23.2026 | StagerunnerAt a moment when Los Angeles’ film and television industry is searching for its next chapter, East End Studios has officially opened a major new soundstage complex in the Arts District — a move that industry leaders say reflects long-term confidence in the city’s production future.The 255,000-square-foot campus, unveiled Wednesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by city officials, features five newly built soundstages capable of supporting premium television, feature films and emerging virtual production workflows. Located minutes from downtown via the Sixth Street Bridge, the facility represents one of the most significant additions to Los Angeles’ studio infrastructure in recent years.Mayor Karen Bass framed the opening as a statement of intent at a time when competition for production dollars has intensified globally. “This industry is foundational to Los Angeles,” Bass said. “Investing in world-class infrastructure is how we keep jobs here and make sure productions continue to choose L.A.”The opening arrives during a transitional period for the local production economy. According to Film LA, on-location filming in 2025 declined 16 percent from the previous year, marking one of the slowest periods since the pandemic. At the same time, the city has seen signs of recalibration, including consolidation among legacy facilities such as Radford Studio Center, which recently defaulted on its mortgage amid the broader slowdown.Rather than viewing the moment as contraction, industry observers increasingly see it as a reset — one that favors newer, more technologically advanced stages purpose-built for modern production demands.“There’s a clear distinction forming in the market,” Film LA CEO Denise Gutches said. “Facilities that offer scale, efficiency and up-to-date technology are positioned to benefit as production activity stabilizes and rebounds.”The East End Studios campus — internally known as Mission — includes five 42-foot-clear soundstages totaling more than 108,000 square feet, along with approximately 105,000 square feet of production offices and support space. The site also features an on-site mill, commissary, outdoor terraces, direct-to-stage loading and parking for more than 200 vehicles, with full capability for XR and virtual production workflows.Union leaders emphasized the broader economic impact of the project. “This is the kind of investment that supports working crews and the surrounding community,” said Lindsay Dougherty of Teamsters Local 399. “It strengthens the ecosystem that makes Los Angeles the production capital of the world.”The timing also aligns with renewed policy momentum. California lawmakers recently expanded the state’s film and television tax credit program, backed by Mayor Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom. With the first round of expanded credits already awarded and productions required to begin filming within six months, industry insiders expect early indicators of increased activity later this year.For East End Studios, the strategy is a long view: building now to be ready when production accelerates again. As Hollywood adapts to new economic realities, the Arts District opening stands as a reminder that while production cycles may fluctuate, Los Angeles’ role at the center of the global entertainment industry remains anchored by continued investment, modern infrastructure and a belief that the next wave of content will still need stages — and talent — rooted in L.A. go to link