The rezoning of 46 acres on Ga. Highway 74 along with the development plan for Founders Studios were unanimously approved by the Tyrone Town Council on July 20. The approval will bring the television and film industry to Tyrone in 2018.
The approval after the public hearing came with no public comments.
Above, architectural rendering of Founders Studios site in Tyrone. Graphic/Town of Tyrone.
The proposal by Dockery Group owner Nathan Dockery asked that the property be rezoned to establish Founders Studios, a development included in the 90-acre site on the east side of Hwy. 74 between Jenkins Road and Sandy Creek Road.
The rezoning dealt with a 46.4-acre tract at the corner of Jenkins Road and Hwy. 74 from O-I (office institutional) to M-1 (light industrial) with a PIP (planned industrial park) overlay.
The second item approved by the council was the Founders Studios development plan, establishing guidelines and provisions for a Planned Industrial Park overlay district to accommodate the Founders Studios movie/media production Planned Unit Development (PUD).
The vote on both proposals was unanimous.
“Founders Studios is an innovative new purpose built film and television studio complex coming to Tyrone. The design will create a space which will serve the film and television industry in ways previously unheard of. The Founders Studios development plan has received unanimous approval as well as rezoning approval from the Tyrone Town Council for the studio complex, which is slotted to begin construction late 2017. Founders Studios Phase One is scheduled to be open for business late 2018,” a Founders Studios press release said.
Founders Studios Communications Director Debbie Reynolds said, “The revolutionary integrated ‘hub’ design features 50,000 sq. ft. of soundstage space, 45,000 sq. ft. of office space, set construction and workshop space, and other interior workspace, all under one roof to allow for a self-contained workflow specifically designed for full television productions. The hub design will allow for maximized productivity, comfort and safety for on-site cast and crew.”
At build out, said Reynolds, the complex will ultimately feature five of these hubs, totaling 250,000 sq. ft. of soundstage, and 225,000 sq. ft. of office and flexible workspace. Along with the cordoned studio complex, the development’s master plan includes a mixed use district comprising a boutique cinema, gourmet restaurants, high-end retail shopping, convenient walking spaces, pristine green parks, and upscale residential living. The total project will cost in excess of $150 million.
“I’m excited to bring something so unique and revolutionary to Tyrone,” said Founders Studios partner David Harbin. “The hub design that we’ve developed will save production companies time, money and help them create without so many limitations. I believe this innovative design will change the expectation of how studios will function.”
The Tyrone location has been chosen for its close proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and interstate accessibility. Also, its proximity to the Atlanta Media Campus and its community of film and television industry support companies. The location will allow for the film and television industry to have easy access to all needed resources, Reynolds said.
Founders Studios is being developed by a team composed of Georgia-native film professionals and business owners. They are joined by Dockery Group, a Peachtree City-based developer. Dockery Group not only will develop the project, but also will be operating as the general contractor, said Reynolds.
“I’m thrilled to design and execute such a truly game-changing space for the television and film industry. As always, my company will deliver a high quality development,” said Nathan Dockery. “This project will combine superior quality with the latest innovation in studio design. The hub design is truly a game changer.”
