Production Center

Our scenic construction facilities are located in the Arsenal Business Center about 5 miles North of Center City Philadelphia. Formerly known as the Frankford Arsenal, this sprawling complex was built in 1816 and features some 2.4 million square feet of space on its 86 acres. Hollywood has made frequent use of the Arsenal by renting shop, office and studio space for movies like Philadelphia, Twelve Monkeys, Fallen and others. Located at the Bridge Street exit on Interstate 95, today's Arsenal Business Center is the brainchild of developer and OCP board member Mark Hankin, who began renovation of the complex in 1983 following its closure in 1976. OCP moved its scenic construction operations to the Arsenal during the 1995-96 season.

OCP's facilities are housed in two buildings: the 14,000 square foot scene shop includes areas for carpentry, metal working, props, scenic assembly, and a 40' x 64' paint deck to accomodate large backdrops and groundcloths. Storage for our inventory of 25 full productions is located in several large adjacent buildings.

OCP's Production Center got its start during the 1993-94 season in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey with the construction of The Magic Flute in space donated by Trammel Crow Company. During 1994 and 1995 scenery for Il Trovatore, Don Giovanni, Salome, Faust and Die Fledermaus was built at 30th and Market Streets in the basement of the old Philadelphia Bulletin newspaper building. All other productions have been built in the current facility.

Since the first production center opened its doors in January 1994, OCP has built scenery for a total of 36 operas at a cost of over $3 million. And during the same period the company has realized over $1.2 million in income as the result of set rentals to other opera companies.

(revised 6/9/2006)

• Maps and directions to the Production Center
  
• Production Center plans
  
• TCI Magazine article
  
• Philadelphia Inquirer article
  
• Philadelphia Weekly article