*Years after paving the way for his own “entertainment district” with creating his own studios, Tyler Perry is moving forward to expand the realm, which includes part of the former U.S. Army base Fort McPherson.
Urbanize Atlanta reports that representatives for the entertainment creator filed papers with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs on July 18, requesting a review from the Development of Regional Impact for a mixed-use expansion of Perry’s studio complex in Southwest Atlanta. The property, which Perry bought two and a half years ago for $8.5 million, covers roughly 38 acres of Fort McPherson, next to his existing studios and within a short walk of MARTA’s Lakewood/Fort McPherson transit station.
According to the DRI filing, “the “Tyler Perry Entertainment District” would encompass almost 1.3 million square feet of development. Sites occupying the property will include a theatre, retail space, office space, and parking. No residential development is mentioned.
The DRI classification of Perry’s property is meant for big projects that effect multiple jurisdictions as a way to streamline the development process and assist in gathering local input.
Urbanize notes DRI filings at Fort McPherson’s northern side, which finds a firm led by Bishop TD Jacks in the planning stages of transforming 96 acres into a separate project with residential, including senior housing as well as another as well as another DRI filing for that project’s initial phase was filed in January.
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Jakes and Perry’s project are a part of a larger vision regarding Lee Street that is scheduled to be completed by January 2028. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports more than 200,000 square feet of property will be affected, with site development calling for the demolition of nine current buildings on site.
Fort McPherson overall spans nearly 500 acres with Perry controlling more than 350 acres of it, via a sprawling 40-plus-building complex that many consider one of the country’s largest TV and film production facilities.
South of the redevelopment site are the sets Perry uses for his projects, which range from a classic diner, farmhouse, and county jail to a realistic White House replica.
News of efforts to move forward with Perry’s expansion isn’t the first time he has tried expanding his property. In early 2024, the Madea film and theater series fixture halted a planned $800-million studio expansion that would have added 12 soundstages in Southwest Atlanta.
Perry’s stoppage stemmed from concerns he had about the effect artificial intelligence will have on the industry and its production processes.
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