The MBS Group to Operate and Service Ardmore and Troy Studios
The world’s leading media real estate and studio services organization, a joint venture of Hackman Capital Partners and Square Mile Capital Management, announce the acquisition of two world-renowned film and television studios in Ireland–Ardmore Studios, Bray Co Wicklow, and Troy Studios, Castletroy, Co Limerick. The partnership owns the world’s largest independent studio and media portfolio, which now includes approximately $4.3 Billion in media real estate assets and exclusively services over 360 sound stages within its MBS Group network of 65+ locations across 46 cities and four countries.
With the addition of Ardmore Studios and Troy Studios to their global studio portfolio, the partnership further bolsters its reputation for best-in-class production facilities throughout the world’s global production hubs. Both iconic Irish studios will continue to operate with their existing branding, with CEO Elaine Geraghty and the staff at both facilities remaining unchanged.
“We are delighted to have Hackman Capital Partners, Square Mile Capital and The MBS Group join the Irish screen content production community,” Geraghty said. “Their industry acumen and global footprint will preserve the legacy of the Studios as well as ensure the continued success of Ireland’s two most significant studios. Ireland has a long history of filmmaking and today’s announcement solidifies the ambition of the industry, and will bring new opportunities in line with the Government ambition to establish Ireland as a global hub for the production of film, TV drama and animation. The demand for high-end TV series is exponential. We compete globally to attract inward productions and valuable investment to Ireland and today’s announcement is momentous to enable further growth of the industry in Ireland.”
Long recognized as a world-class production destination, the Irish content production industry has experienced a boom in recent years, establishing itself as an increasingly attractive location for international film and high-end TV production alongside an already growing slate of indigenous production and talent. Screen Ireland, the State’s film, TV and animated production agency, reported on 15 July 2021 that this year is set to break production activity records despite the disruption of Covid-19, with the sector’s economic contribution already estimated to be €289m from 37 Irish and international productions; on track to beat the previous production contribution record of €358m reached before the pandemic in 2019.
“Ireland is a superb destination for production, with the richness of its natural landscape, it’s indigenous content industry and it’s skilled production crews,” said Michael Hackman, CEO Hackman Capital Partners. We look forward to building upon this great history and are committed to growing both indigenous and international production activity in Ireland, by investing in and forging strong links with local talent and communities and by promoting further inward investment from international content creators.”
Craig Soloman, CEO of Square Mile Capital, added, “The extraordinary global growth in demand for high quality studio facilities and services continues unabated. Our partnership remains focused on opportunities to participate in the growth in this sector, on behalf of our investors. We are excited to grow our platform by establishing a presence in Ireland, which we view as a premier and growing global production market. While we have now established strong presences in several of the world’s top production centers, we will continue to look for additional opportunities.”
Troy Studios, Limerick, has become Ireland’s largest studio complex, offering 100,000 sq ft of stage space and a further 250,000 sq ft for production support, including the largest sound stages in the country. Since its inception Troy has consistently served as a home for high-end international productions, leading to a regional uplift in content creation and inward investment throughout the south-west. Ardmore Studios, Bray, is Ireland’s preeminent and foremost historic studio facility with over 140,000 sq ft of sound stages and some 160,000 sq ft of support buildings. The iconic studio campus has contributed to Irish cultural history for over 60 years.
Most recently, major titles such as The Last Duel, AppleTV+’s Foundation and Netflix’s Winx have all benefited from Ardmore Studios and Troy Studios world-class studio infrastructure, state and regional support, quick access to adjacent natural locations, as well as availability of highly skilled local production crews.
“These two Irish studios have established Ireland as a major global production hub and have played a significant role in delivering year on year growth in Irish film and television production,” said Jason Hariton, Chief Real Estate Officer, of The MBS Group. We are immensely proud to add these campuses and their talented staff to our global platform, and are committed to protecting and growing this unique legacy while working collaboratively with local stakeholders to enhance the Studios’ offerings, further strengthening their stellar reputation on the world stage.”
More About Ardmore Studios
Established in 1958, Ardmore Studios in Bray, Co Wicklow, offers seven international standard sound stages with full support services on site. Ardmore has a storied history that includes its time as The National Film Studios of Ireland and later as MTM-Ardmore Studios, when purchased by a consortium led by legendary actress and producer Mary Tyler Moore. The Ardmore brand is recognised by producers throughout the world, having become associated with national and international film and television successes including Jim Sheridan’s Daniel Day Lewis feature “My Left Foot” and Mel Gibson’s “Braveheart”, and recent high-end television series like “Camelot”, “The Tudors”, “Penny Dreadful” and “The Green Knight”. Productions at Ardmore have received 14 Oscars and many BAFTA, Golden Globe and Emmy awards. Offering purpose-built sound stages with full support facilities on site, Ardmore Studios currently comprises 170,000 sq.ft of production stages and support facilities.
For more information, visit www.ardmorestudios.ie
More About Troy Studios
Established in 2017, at Plassey Park in Castletroy, Co Limerick, Troy Studios is Ireland’s largest studio. Following significant private investment of over €13 million to date, Troy Studios is home to a 350,000 sq. ft hub of stages and support infrastructure for content creation. Troy has four sound stages totalling over 103,000 sq.ft and over 250,000 sq.ft., of support buildings including workshops, props storage, costume, dressing rooms, production offices, hair and make-up rooms. A backlot of five acres is available for exterior set construction.
For more information, visit www.troystudios.ie
