First look: Huge Bastrop 552 film studio may open in 2023

A 546-acre film studio and entertainment district near Bastrop has a target opening date for its first phase: August 2023.

That’s among the new details emerging about the Bastrop 552 project, which owner Alton Butler has said will eventually have 486,000 square feet of studio space, 300,000 square feet of warehouse/mill space and 200,000 square feet of office space in a horseshoe bend of the Colorado River.

Additionally, Bastrop Colorado Bend LLC, the company associated with the project, received approval Dec. 14 from Bastrop City Council to designate the site, located at 1240 Lovers Lane, as a media production development zone. The program provides a two-year exemption from sales and use taxes on items used during construction, maintenance, expansion, improvement or renovation of a media production facility.

As part of the application for the designation, Bastrop Colorado Bend submitted Aug. 30 an economic impact study from Austin-based consulting firm Impact DataSource LLC. The study provided the first comprehensive view of how the project could shape the area over the next decade, including through thousands of jobs and millions of direct and indirect dollars for the city, state and region.

The company is gearing up to begin work on the $40.3 million first phase of Bastrop 552, which includes six studios totaling 108,000 square feet, a three-story office building totaling 46,000 square feet, a 108,000-square-foot mill house and warehouse and supporting infrastructure, according to the documents and an updated concept plan. For a 360-degree view of the development’s central courtyard, follow this link.

Approximately 94%, or $37.8 million, will be spent on items eligible for sales tax emption through the media production zone.

While the consultants noted that no projects that will shoot at the facility are known at this time, a full facility is expected to generate $177.8 million per year, support 1,443 permanent jobs and $64.3 million in household earnings paid to workers over the decade after construction is completed. That’s on top of 747 “job years” and $105.5 million during the two years of construction.

The project represents a large influx of jobs for Bastrop, which is about 35 miles east of downtown Austin. The area has already been experiencing the effects of the Austin metro’s rapid growth. The population grew 26% from 7,218 residents in 2010 to 9,688 in 2020, while wider Bastrop County grew 20% from 74,171 residents in 2010 to 97,216 in 2020, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

The updated concept plan includes additional space for dozens of studios and warehouses, a backlot, flex pads, recreation areas and clubhouses. Butler has previously indicated that the project could include a golf course and ranch.

Courtesy of the Austin Business Journal. See the full article here.