Founders Studios addition gets preliminary approval
The Tyrone Planning Commission on Dec. 14 recommended approval of a request by Founders Studios to revise its development plan to include 15 additional acres. The vote on the request was unanimous.
Above, members of the Tyrone Planning Commission recommended approval of a request to amend the Founders Studios development agreement. Pictured, from left, are Commissioner Jeff Duncan, Chairman Wil James and commissioners Marlon Davis and David Nebergall. Photo/Ben Nelms.
The 15-acre tract is situated on the east side of the original 90-acre site that carries a zoning that includes a PIP (planned industrial park) overlay.
The initial 90-acre tracts later increased to more than 200 acres.
Tyrone Planning and Development Coordinator Phillip Trouquet said the 15-acre property will subsequently undergo a rezoning and re-platting process.
The property will be covered by the PIP Overlay and by the town’s Quality Growth Overlay District. The provisions specific to the overlays include more robust landscaping requirements and additional architectural design standards.
Development plans for the Founders Studios film and television complex in Tyrone was approved by the Tyrone Town Council in July.
Founders Studios will feature a “hub” design approach to filming. All located under one roof, each of the five planned hubs will feature two soundstages totaling 50,000 sq. ft., construction and flex space totaling 30,000 sq. ft. and 20,000 sq. ft. of office space. Construction on Phase 1 is expected to begin in early 2018.
At build-out, Founders Studios will feature five “hubs” totaling 250,000 sq. ft. of soundstages and 225,000 sq. ft. of office, construction and flex space.
Weighing-in previously on the Founders Studios design concept, “House of Cards” and “Stranger Things” producer Iain Paterson said, “The Founders Studios innovative facility design promises to increase efficiency and streamline the production process for episodic television stage work and make that work simpler and safer. I’m looking forward to bringing a production to Founders.”
Also commenting on the Founders Studios concept was “Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone” producer Mark Marshall.
“Founders Studios is a unique and exciting new development in the burgeoning entertainment infrastructure underway in Georgia,” said Marshall. “One of the most enticing features is the lack of exclusive vendor contracts, making it much easier for productions to hold down costs by negotiating with vendors based on rate and quality of service. I am also impressed with the simplified fee structuring. The team at Founders… is helping productions save the two most important things for any producer – time and money.”
The site is within a few miles of the massive complex at Pinewood Atlanta Studios off Veterans Parkway and Sandy Creek Road.
