Louisville is about to get a major production upgrade. The long-awaited $70 million transformation of the historic Louisville Gardens into a state-of-the-art film and TV production facility is set to break ground later this year, turning a century-old entertainment venue into a modern soundstage hub.

As part of the agreement, Louisville Metro Government is contributing $10 million toward the redevelopment, drawn from $100 million in state funding allocated by the Kentucky General Assembly in 2024. The project, led by Louisville-based Unbridled Films, development firm Poe Companies, and California’s Sylmar Studios, aims to position the city as a serious player in the production industry.

The new Louisville Gardens Sound Stages will feature two large indoor soundstages, 40,000 square feet of production space, and an additional 40,000 square feet of office space designed to accommodate production teams. The facility will be used for feature films, TV shows, commercials, and short-term shoots, adding much-needed infrastructure to Kentucky’s growing film scene.

“As Louisville’s burgeoning film industry continues to grow, the Louisville Gardens Sound Stages will be the perfect venue for production companies looking for a new, world-class space to make films, TV shows, commercials, and more,” said Mayor Craig Greenberg.

Beyond attracting productions, the redevelopment is expected to create over 50 full-time jobs with an average hourly wage of $58 per hour, bringing high-paying opportunities to the city’s creative workforce.

The project was first announced in December 2022, under former Mayor Greg Fischer’s administration. While progress was initially contingent on securing tax incentives and funding, the latest commitment from the city has paved the way for construction to begin “later in 2025.”

A Historic Venue Gets a New Life

Originally opened in 1905 as the Jefferson County Armory, Louisville Gardens has hosted some of the biggest names in sports, politics, and entertainment, from Elton John to Martin Luther King Jr.. After closing in 2008, the building sat vacant for years, with various redevelopment ideas floated but never realized—until now.

With Louisville joining the growing list of cities investing in soundstage infrastructure, this project is a significant step in putting Kentucky on the map for film and television production.