ATLANTA — Tyler Perry Studios in southwest Atlanta could be expanding to include an all-new entertainment district.
Channel 2′s Audrey Washington learned that the media mogul is looking to buy nearly 40 acres to add to the complex.
The 12-soundstage studio is currently made up of more than 300 acres on the old Fort McPherson property.
NewsDrone 2 flew over the studios on Friday afternoon.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
According to Fulton County property records, the deed to 37 acres of land was just transferred to Tyler Perry Studios in late December for $8.4 million.
Lauren Seckinger lives near the property and told Washington that she supports the expansion.
“Overall, I think it’ll be nice to have other options here,” she said.
The Atlanta City Council gave Channel 2 renderings of the planned expansion that shows what could be an entertainment district that Perry has been discussing for years.
In 2020, Perry stated he wanted to use the land to build a district with retail stores and restaurants.
TRENDING STORIES:
- At least 2 people shot, 1 in custody after shooting at Perimeter Mall
- Decatur High School principal, teacher under investigation, reassigned to different schools
- Iconic Georgia BBQ restaurant known for ‘Pig Hill of Fame’ will stay open after all
Gregory Davney owns D & D Barbecue down the street from Tyler Perry Studios. He says he already gets added business from cast and crew at the studios, but he’s looking forward to even more customers being in the area.
“They’ll come over and patronize, some of the actors and actresses,” Davney said.
The director of the Georgia Film Office released a statement on Friday that read in part,
“This expansion by Tyler Perry Studios, combined with other recent sound stage announcements, has Georgia poised to soon offer the highest square footage of stage space in the United States.”
Washington learned that the Fort McPherson Local Redevelopment Authority approved the sale in 2021.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
IN OTHER NEWS:
©2022 Cox Media Group