As major studios continue to reconfigure their production pipelines and streaming platforms scale back in high-cost markets, Louisville, Kentucky, is quietly positioning itself as the next major player in U.S.-based film and television production.

Construction is set to begin by late 2025 on The Louisville Studios at the Gardens, a $70 million soundstage and production campus being developed in the heart of downtown Louisville. The project will convert the historic Louisville Gardens arena — a century-old venue that once hosted concerts, boxing matches, and political rallies — into a Class-A, industry-grade studio complex aimed at attracting both independent and studio-backed productions.

The project is being led by Sylmar Studios CEO Tony Guanci, in partnership with local and state officials who have revamped Kentucky’s incentive landscape in a bid to draw more content production into the region.

“This is a purpose-built facility that will meet the needs of the modern entertainment industry,” Guanci said at a recent press conference. “From feature films and prestige television to streaming, commercials, and branded content — we’re building for scale and quality.”

A Competitive Alternative to the Coasts

Louisville’s entry into the production arms race comes at a time when the entertainment industry is navigating a turbulent post-strike recovery, with studios cutting back on volume while simultaneously chasing cost savings. In that climate, second-tier markets with viable infrastructure and generous tax incentives are gaining traction.

With access to a regional talent base and proximity to cities like Nashville, Atlanta, and Chicago, Louisville offers logistical and cost advantages — all within a single-day drive of key crew and equipment hubs.

For producers looking to escape the high overhead of Los Angeles or the capacity crunch in Georgia, Kentucky’s pitch is simple: big-league production at a better price point.

Incentives, Infrastructure and Legislative Backing

The project has been buoyed by the passage of Senate Bill 1, which established a formal Kentucky Film Office and expanded the state’s film tax credit program, offering refundable incentives of up to 35% on qualifying spend.

Already, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority has preliminarily approved $700,000 in wage incentives tied to the creation of 50 new jobs with an average hourly wage of $58. In addition, the state has committed $10 million in public funding toward the redevelopment of Louisville Gardens.

“Very few states right now are investing in this space at this scale,” said Mayor Craig Greenberg. “This is about more than one studio — it’s about catalyzing a new economy around film and television production in Kentucky.”

Soundstage Specs and Future Expansion

Phase one of the build will include two Class-A soundstages, support space, and production offices. Developers say the acoustics and design will meet the standards required for major motion pictures and episodic series. Additional phases could expand the footprint further, including potential backlot space and adjacent production infrastructure.

“Everything is being designed with a modern production workflow in mind,” said Guanci. “This isn’t just four walls and a roof — we’re focused on everything from sound isolation to power needs to support services.”

Environmental remediation on the more-than-100-year-old site is currently underway. Full construction is expected to commence by the end of this year.

Reclaiming a Historic Venue for a New Creative Economy

Opened in 1905 as the Jefferson County Armory, Louisville Gardens has long stood dormant, its grand interior frozen in time. Now, the site is being repurposed to serve a very different audience — filmmakers, showrunners, crews, and creatives.

“This is a place where stories were once told through sports and music,” said Jeff Noel, Secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development. “Now it’s being reimagined as a place where stories will be made.”

Industry Eyes on Kentucky

As production slows in traditional strongholds and studios evaluate more sustainable models, states like Kentucky are stepping in to offer a compelling alternative. And with fewer new studio builds currently in motion across North America, Louisville’s timing may prove prescient.

For the global production community — especially those navigating tighter budgets and looking beyond legacy markets — Louisville Studios at the Gardens represents not just a new address, but a new kind of opportunity.

Louisville may not have been on the map for film and television. That’s about to change.