YVR Film, the Vancouver-based production database, has revealed that Warner Bros. has purchased the buildings surrounding Smallville Studios (where the show is primarily shot), and is making the studio bigger.
This is further 'proof' that Smallville will be sticking around for a little while longer, as it is a long-term investment buying more buildings, given that Smallville Studios is already one of the largest exclusive-use studio spaces in Vancouver (housing the 50+ sets used by the Smallville team). The expansion also indicates a budget increase for the series, as shows traditionally recycle or re-decorate older sets to make way for new ones, instead of buying entire new buildings.
Given the series is almost entirely set in Metropolis, it makes sense the new sets will be urban. In recent episodes, Smallville has resorted to using green screen (and even the Watchmen set) to make Metropolis look bigger, so naturally it may be more cost-effective to just create a new city set. Personally, I hope they build a 'City Square' set, like Metropolis' version of Rockefeller Centre. It would further showcase the scale of Metropolis, plus make for an incredible battlefield location.
Please feel free to speculate away below in the comments what you think the new sets will be - I will post the best ideas in a future 'round-up' post.
And a special thank you goes to Lilah for bringing this tweet to the community's attention.