– Rivers Rock, LLC, representing a group of Atlanta-area investors, announced today that it has filed development documents with the Fayette County Board of Commissioners to build what would be the largest film production complex in metro Atlanta on a 288-acre site in north-central Fayette County, Ga. The investment group also announced that it is in discussions with London-based Pinewood Studios Group to manage and operate the studio complex.
Located fifteen minutes south of Hartsfield-Jackson international Airport and twenty-five minutes south of downtown Atlanta, the proposed development site would initially include the construction of five purpose-built state-of-the-art sound stages. These soundstages would be designed to utilize the latest technology available in film production. Additionally, the developers will construct a series of administrative buildings and production offices as well as support buildings for set and effects development and space for film equipment vendors. Space will also be provided for backlot development for television and film location operations. The initial investment is expected to be $20 million.
Construction is expected to begin this spring, pending permit approvals, and the initial phase is expected to be operational during the first quarter of 2014. The facility would be expanded in future phases as demand for sound stages and film production space increases, though no plans have been finalized yet on those expansions. Future development plans do include the establishment of a professional film production school in partnership with the studio to help grow Georgia’s film workforce. Discussions are currently ongoing with multiple higher education institutions to locate on the site.
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