Houston’s film scene may soon be getting an upgrade, thanks to Al Kashani of Horizon International. The developer’s plans include converting a former furniture store at 2800 Fondren into two soundstages and an educational facility for budding filmmakers, as reported by the Houston Chronicle. These aren’t just any stages; we’re talking 8500 and 7800 square feet of potential movie magic. Plus, with an additional design/home-related retail twist, this development isn’t just eyeing Hollywood’s dollars, but also Houston’s domestic comfort.
The space, a massive 125,000-square-foot warehouse, is set for a repurposing that will blend retail and industrial, medium with education. Kashani foresees this move as a job creator as much as a film factory, saying to the Houston Chronicle, “People don’t realize that the film industry is one of the top industries in the nation, right along with construction and oil and gas. With film, you have three or four actors but hundreds of (other) people … I want to generate money, generate jobs. That’s the whole thing here.” The emphasis on education might just foster homegrown talent while also keeping Texas dollars in Texas and Texas jobs in Texas. He’s got his eyes on the future, too; if everything goes to plan, expanding the soundstage facility could be next up.
Timing is everything, and it seems Texas is ready for its close-up. A jaw-dropping jump in state incentives for film and TV productions makes it clear—Texas wants to play a leading role in the industry. According to Houston Public Media, the Texas Legislature has increased the incentives budget from $45 million to a whooping $200 million.
This move has caught the eye of industry insiders like Paul Jensen, executive director of Texas Media Production Alliance. He told Houston Public Media, “This $200 million was a historic allocation,” With an expected return on investment of more than 5 to 1, this could mean a billion-dollar boost for media production in Texas. If these incentives deliver as promised, they could cement Texas as the new go-to spot for shooting films and TV shows, hoping to keep Texan talent from taking flight to other states like Georgia. Houston, once overshadowed by film hotspots like Atlanta, could see its local economy energized by jobs and investments flowing into the city’s growing media sector. With Netflix series like Mo shooting their second season in Houston, it’s clear the city is already in the spotlight.