The Wharf Studios
| The Wharf Studios | |
|---|---|
Interactive map of the The Wharf Studios area | |
| General information | |
| Location | 8 River Rd., Barking, England, IG 110JE |
| Coordinates | 51°31′37″N 0°05′38″E / 51.5269°N 0.0940°E |
| Current tenants | MBS Equipment Company |
| Opened | 2022 |
| Owner | Hackman Capital Partners (HCP) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor area | 200,000 square feet |
| Grounds | 10 acres |
| Website | |
| The Wharf Studios | |
The Wharf Studios is a film and television studio located in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, East London. Developed by Hackman Capital Partners and operated by MBS Equipment Company, the complex opened in 2022.
History
The development of The Wharf Studios is tied to a wider regeneration effort by the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham to establish the area as a global media and film hub, transforming the area's economic identity "from Ford to film."[1][2]
In March 2021, Hackman Capital Partners (HCP), a major Los Angeles-based real estate firm specialising in studio properties, signed a deal with the local council to lease and convert the two warehouses into The Wharf Studios. This move was made to quickly boost the borough's stage capacity ahead of the completion of the larger, new-build Eastbrook Studios complex nearby. The total investment by HCP in the two studio sites was estimated at £350 million.[3]
The Wharf Studios opened its doors in 2022,[4] and its operations are managed by The MBS Group, a global leader in studio management and technical equipment.[5]
Facilities
The Wharf Studios is a private 10-acre riverside campus that offers over 104,000 square feet of soundstage space. It was established through the conversion of two existing large warehouses, complementing its larger sister site, Eastbrook Studios, which is also located in the borough and developed by the same partners.[5]
Sound Stages
The complex features six purpose-built, acoustically treated sound stages, which vary in size and ceiling height, allowing for a range of production scales and formats.
| Stage | Size | Ceiling Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21,797 sq ft | 46 ft (14 m) |
| 2 | 21,937 sq ft | 46 ft (14 m) |
| 3 | 16,576 sq ft | 34 ft (10.3 m) |
| 4 | 16,770 sq ft | 34 ft (10.3 m) |
| 5 | 21,850 sq ft | 33 ft (10 m) |
| 6 | 7,276 sq ft | 26 ft (8 m) |
| Source:[6] | ||
Other facilities
Supporting the main stages is over 94,000 square feet of ancillary space, including: 62,000 square feet of production offices and 32,000 square feet of workshop space and a cafe catering to cast and crew working in the studios.
Productions
Film
- The Amateur (2025)[7]
Television series
- Squid Game: The Challenge (2023–)[8][9]
- Hijack (2026)
- Criminal Record (TBA)[10]
- Bad Sisters (Season 2) (2026)
Wider initiatives
The studios is also involved in wider initiatives within the London borough to promote film, such as the Make It Here program by Film Barking & Dagenham.[11] This included a visit from the Duke of Edinburgh.[12]
In 2023, Eastbrook and The Wharf studios become the sponsor for the north terrace of Victoria Road, the home of Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club.[13]
References
- ^ "Coming soon! Made in Dagenham studios". Your Call Be First London. 3 November 2020. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
- ^ "Developing East London's Newest Film Sector". Film Barking and Dagenham. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
- ^ "The studios behind the headlines, part 5: Eastbrook Studios and The Wharf". frame-25.com. 9 June 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
- ^ "Studios". Film Barking and Dagenham. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
- ^ a b "The Wharf Studios London". The MBS Group. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
- ^ "SITE LAYOUT and STAGE PLANS" (PDF). The Wharf Studios. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
- ^ "The Wharf Studios, Barking". TV Studio History. 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
- ^ Venn, Lydia (21 November 2023). "Where was Netflix's Squid Game: The Challenge filmed?". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
- ^ Hill-Paul, Lucas (5 November 2025). "Squid Game the Challenge filming locations including set of major movies". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
- ^ Daniels, Nia (20 June 2025). "Criminal Record S2 wraps London shoot". The Knowledge Online. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
- ^ Brooke, Mike (21 February 2024). "Plan to help school leavers into broadcasting careers in Barking and Dagenham". Barking and Dagenham Post. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
- ^ Reaidi, Joseph (9 December 2023). "Duke of Edinburgh visits east London to see progress of capital's largest film studio". Romford Recorder. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
- ^ "Eastbrook & The Wharf Studios Are The New Sponsors of The North Terrace". Dagenham & Redbridge FC. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2025.