Regal Mile Studios held a groundbreaking ceremony on a proposed 380,000 square foot sound stage. It will be a seven-acre enclosed media campus and sound stage development in the heart of Chicago's South Side and is being planned by Loop Capital Real Estate Partners. The $100 million development is scheduled to be finished in the fall of 2024.
Bauer Latoza Studio designed the media campus which will include the following:
- Three film studios
- Office space
- Staging areas
- 95 parking spaces
Urbanize Chicago states that the triangular site will be composed of three areas. The first is the main studio parcel, holding the three main studio and office structures. Two other smaller parcels include the northwest parking lot and a smaller parcel south of the parking lot that will have a green room, which is a prep area for actors.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot recently joined city, community, and business leaders at the groundbreaking ceremony on the site which is located at 7700 S. Stony Island.
"Through this $100 million investment to develop a new, state-of-the-art media campus in the South Shore neighborhood, INVEST South/West will expand educational opportunities for young people and equip them with the skills they need to thrive and succeed in the film and media industry. I am thrilled that this project not only puts community voices front and center, but also enhances Chicago's presence in the entertainment industry. Ultimately, this development will support our South Side residents and contribute to our prosperous, post-pandemic recovery."
Mayor of Chicago | Lori Lightfoot
The main site of the development is organized around a central internal portion that acts as open flex space, offering an internal outdoor yard for staging and access for staff. Placed around this central area, three studio buildings each measure 20,000 square feet with 40 feet interior clear height space for filming and set building. Located out from the studio structures are attached office spaces. Rising 28 feet, the two-story portions will face the street, blocking views of the taller 52 feet tall studio enclosures. The office portions are faced with lively facades that face the neighborhood.
ENR Midwest reports that the project will be built on vacant properties at 1431-1526 E. 77th Street and on the 7700 blocks of South Blackstone, South Chicago, Harper and Stony Island Avenues. It will include 220,000 square feet of film studio space and feature a gym, cafeteria and recreation space.
Chicago-based Dakota Development is the contractor for the project, which is expected to create 250 construction jobs.
The studios' name pays homage to the Avalon Regal Theater, which opened in 1928, and was an entertainment destination for decades. The theater is currently shuttered and not part of the development plan.
The Chicago City Council gave zoning approval for the film/TV campus in July 2021. Mayor Lori Lightfoot stated that TV and film production in Chicago has generated $700 million in revenue in 2022. Currently there are 15 current or upcoming TV series being filmed in Chicago.
Reel Chicago states that this project has been in predevelopment since 2018. A lot of time has been used to work through site selection and various iterations. According to Derek Dudley, a Regal Mile Studios partner and producer of Showtime's The Chi,- this site has sat vacant for decades, paving the way for responsible urban infill development, and it has great expansion potential.
DataBid is currently reporting on this project - Regal Mile Studios South Shore - Chicago (0084061521)
