When Wētā FX opened its doors to its new Vancouver office, it marked the company’s first dedicated visual effects studio outside of New Zealand after its 2021 $1.6bn technology deal with Unity. 

Wētā FX is now doubling its space – which initially housed a workforce of 75 visual artists – by expanding into larger premises in 745 Thurlow Street with the help of TwentyTwo’s Chris Ware.

745 Thurlow – as it’s known – is in the heart of Downtown Vancouver’s business district. The building’s architectural focus represents a progressive approach to traditional office building design, this unique design resulting in LEED Core and Shell Gold Certification.

“It was a pleasure to work with Wētā FX’s Marcus Goodwin (Head of Studio) and Adam Garrett (Head of Facilities) and the wider team on their new premises and to complete the deal from New Zealand” says Chris.

“Thanks too to Blair Quinn Personal Real Estate Corporation and Matt Carlson, Founder and MD of Floorspace in Vancouver. I look forward to hearing how the move to the new premises goes later this year”.

The Vancouver office works on the Avatar sequels, including Avatar: The Way of Water released in December 2022, and 3, 4 and 5 due for release in 2024, 2026 and 2028 respectively. Wētā FX is also working on a number of unannounced projects for various studios.