Bright lights come to Brent Cross Town with film studio at former Toys ‘R’ Us

A temporary theatre and film studio has become the biggest tenant to date at Argent Related’s regeneration of Brent Cross Town, signing for 150,000 sq ft at a former Toys ‘R’ Us outlet. Troubadour Theatres, which specialises in temporary performance venues, will establish a studio space on a three-year lease at the 180-acre, £7bn development. Brent Cross Studios, which will open early next year on Tilling Road, NW2, will be Troubadour’s biggest in London. The operator counts the National Theatre, MTV and Netflix among its clients, and follows up a theatre venue at Quintain’s regeneration of Wembley Park, which has seen productions such as the NT’s War Horse. As well as 27,000 sq ft of dedicated studio space, there will be offices and workshops on the Brent Cross site, which Argent hopes will bring media and entertainment businesses to the neighbourhood. Nick Searl, the Argent Related partner running the regeneration scheme, said providing opportunities for local people in the development’s early stages was “a top priority”. Troubadour’s Brent Cross Studios will also run a Skills Academy to give local residents film and TV industry training. An estimated 150 sessions are planned in the first three years. The former Toys ‘R’ Us site will be refurbished and fitted out with what the landlord called “inventive reuse” of the space, such as converting old storerooms into set and costume workshops and prop rooms. To send feedback, e-mail alex.daniel@eg.co.uk or tweet @alexmdaniel or @EGPropertyNews Image from Argent Related