Film industry giants snap up Outlander’s Wardpark Studios

FILM industry giants have snapped up Scotland’s biggest studio complex – where the hit TV show Outlander is made. Wardpark Studios, in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, has joined the growing studio portfolio being amassed by a film industry consortium.

It announced plans to create London’s biggest film and TV studio last year and has just acquired Ireland’s two biggest studios.

The deal for Wardpark involves the California-based property group Hackman Capital Partners, its studio operator affiliate, the MBS Group, and New York-based investment house Square Mile Capital Partners. Wardpark has been transformed under property developer Terry Thomson, who agreed a deal for the former warehouse complex to become home to Outlander in 2013.

The complex boasts more than 200,000 sq ft of studio space across a 14-acre campus, five sound stages, production offices, workshops and an external green screen.

The success of Outlander, renewed for a seventh season, has been instrumental in the development of further studio facilities in Bathgate, Leith and Glasgow.

Michael Hackman, founder of Hackman Capital Partners, said: “We’re thrilled to be adding Wardpark to our distinguished portfolio and excited to be entering the Scottish production market.

“Wardpark has been a strong catalyst for growth in the country’s creative sector and Scotland has become an important filming destination for international content creators, thanks in part to its lush landscapes and scenery and competitive tax credits, as well as its top talent pool.”