Officials made a major announcement Tuesday afternoon regarding Buffalo's future as a favored location for movie and television productions.
A more than $50 million investment will be made in a production complex to be located across from Rich Product's headquarters on Niagara Street. The West Side facility will include two 20,000-square-foot stages, plus 70,000 square feet for office and support services.
Great Point Capital Management, a media-focused investment fund run by Fehmi Zeko and award-winning film and television producer Robert Halmi Jr., will lease the land from Rich Holdings. Larry Quinn, a developer and one-time Buffalo Sabres executive, will coordinate and supervise the project for Great Point.
"Buffalo is an ideal city for a state-of-the-art film and television complex," said Zeko. "A combination of great locations, well-trained crew and tremendous support from local government has made Buffalo a desirable destination for filmmakers. With the addition of the studio, Buffalo will see year-round activity."
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown called the project a "game-changer" for the community. Construction using local workers is scheduled to begin in September, with completion scheduled for the fall of 2021.
