Prairie State Wire

Chicago's Cinespace TV production center is growing so rapidly, the owner said he has had to turn customers away because of not having enough space but hopes to expand the number of soundstages by 50%. 

Cinespace currently has 42 soundstages at its original campus located at 2621 W. 15th Place and at 31st and Kedzie in Little Villiage, a Chicago Business article said.

"I'm excited to see Illinois' film industry is on a growth spurt so strong that studios are building more space," Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in an April 23 Facebook post. "This will create good-paying jobs in an industry on the rise — an investment we're proud to support through our expanded film tax credits."

Owner Alex Pissios said that a recent purchase of a building at 19th and Rockwell, southeast of the main campus, should allow for him to expand up to between 15 and 19 new soundstages where the facilities could be used for films, as well TV production, which is the main focus of Pissios'.

According to Pissios, the newest building will be used more for storage, helping clear out some other areas of the two main buildings where the new sound stages can be added. Pissios said he is hoping to have 61 soundstages total by the end of the year. 

Chicago Business reported that production had begun again at the two main Cinespace buildings with safety protocols in place in correspondence with COVID-19 restrictions.