Digital Media Industry
Space at the GNWC complex is occupied by the four partner academic institutions, plus a number of commercial tenants and student housing.
As of 2012, commercial tenants that are aligned with the Trust’s vision for the campus include Scalar Decisions, Blackbird Interactive, GRAND (Graphics, Animation and New Media Canada), Discovery Parks’ Generator, Conquer Mobile, and Image Engine.
In 2012, Image Engine partnered with Rainmaker Entertainment Inc. and Digital Domain and received financial backing from Toronto-based Scalar Decisions to set up a render farm at GNWC. Dubbed ‘RenderCloud,’ the facility’s goal is to offer scalable, high-end VFX development capabilities to major movie studios, and prevent them from being lured away to competitors in countries such as New Zealand and England. The RenderCloud facility is leasing 3,500 square feet of space from GNWC at reportedly ‘favorable’ rates.
Academic research projects that rent space at GNWC include BCIT's Centre for the Advancement of Green Roof Technology and UBC’s Solar Canopy Project. BCIT also offers trades and apprenticeship programs and courses at GNWC.
In addition, UBC Properties Trust and the Justice Institute of British Columbia have offices at the GNWC district. Some space is also rented for artistic production and rehearsal purposes. For example, eatArt, a charity that fosters new media art research with a focus on large-scale, kinetic and robotic sculpture, resides in a shop on the property. Also, the Equinox Gallery opened a location on the GNWC property in early 2012 and has now moved its entire art gallery there.
GNWC has hosted several film productions and special events. These include LANcouver, which was held at the warehouse in the Centre for Digital Media in May 2011, and Mini Maker Faire Vancouver, which was held at the same location in June 2011.
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