Lucasfilm held a groundbreaking ceremony to announce its new 'Sandcrawler' building. Located just off Fusionopolis, this eight-storey building will house a 100-seat theatre, state-of-the-art production facilities and Star Wars-themed decor. It will be home to Lucasfilm's TV and feature film arm Lucasfilm Animation, its special effects arm Industrial Light & Magic Singapore, and its LucasArts video games unit. Named after the transportation machine which first appeared in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, this building is Lucasfilm’s first purpose-built facility outside of the United States and is expected to be completed at the end of 2012.

The ceremony was officiated by Ms Micheline Chau, President & COO, Lucasfilm; Mr Xavier Nicolas, GM, Lucasfilm Singapore; Mr Colum Slevin, VP & Head of Studio Operations, Lucasfilm, Mr Angelo Garcia, President of Lucas Real Estate Holdings; Mr Manohar Khiatani, CEO, JTC Corporation; and Mr Leo Yip, Chairman, Singapore Economic Development Board, who was the guest-of-honour at the event.

Ms Micheline Chau and Mr Leo Yip unveiling an artist's impression of the Sandcrawler building.