Seven's $10m move to Hindmarsh hub
by JON BROOKS
THE Seven television network has announced it will be the first tenant of a $50 million technology "precinct" in Hindmarsh.
Seven will build a S10 million studio on the corner of Port Rd and Adam St, where the Adelaide Entertainment Centre billboard now stands.
Under the plans, being driven by property developers Abigroup, the surrounding areas also could house a radio station, film and multimedia production facility - but tenants are yet to be found.
The SA Film Corporation, based at Hendon. has confirmed it is looking for a new home but has ruled out the Entertainment Centre site.
Seven announced plans to move to Hindmarsh two weeks ago, after a deal was struck with the land owners, the Land Management Corporation (LMC).
Developers are yet to find other tenants for the proposed adjoining complex, but Seven general manager Tony Davison said he expected the company would find the right suitors.
"It's certainly not a secret that we've been looking at the site," he said. "We've already sold our old studios (based at Gilberton) to a Perth developer and the process of getting the land we've just acquired took about two years.
"We've bitten the bullet and signed on to be a part of this and I imagine others will follow suit."
Included in the plans, which have yet to be lodged with Charles Sturt Council, are a two
storey building and a large transmitter dish.
But the television station will not be bringing its helicopter along, despite enjoying the luxury of a helipad at its current home (see separate story, below).
Seven will bring 100 staff to the
new studio, with multi-storey secure car parking to be built when other tenants sign on.
The artists' impressions of the new building show an ultramodern design.
"This needed to be a landmark building so we've made sure it was a styling statement," Mr
Davison said. "This will be one of the most technologically advanced studios in the nation, so the design needed to reflect that.
"Our old studio serviced our needs well but it's basically just past its prime and in need of replacement."
The new studio is scheduled for completion by early 2007.
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