Hollywood River Studios broke ground this week in Wood River, Illinois, launching a 144,000-square-foot production facility designed to capture a share of the state’s growing entertainment market. Located roughly 15 miles north of St. Louis, Missouri, across the Mississippi River, the new campus will feature six soundstages alongside an office building and warehouse facilities.
Illinois Production Spending Reaches $700 Million
Governor JB Pritzker announced at the ceremony that the state recorded more than $700 million in film and television production spending last year. Hollywood River Studios founder and CEO Christopher Breakwell joined Pritzker to launch the project, which aims to keep local talent inside the state’s borders. Pritzker stated that the development projects hundreds of permanent jobs upon full completion, offering regional workers a pathway to stay in the area while telling their stories.
Tax Credits Fuel Wood River Construction
State incentives drove the decision to build the facility in Wood River. Illinois provides a 35 percent tax credit for qualified in-state production spending. Productions outside the Chicago area, including Wood River, qualify for an additional 5 percent boost on resident wages. Certified green productions can earn an extra 5 percent credit. Beyond state programs, developers noted that the potential creation of a federal production tax credit also influenced the timeline to begin construction on the Wood River campus.
Offsite Prefabrication Targets Late 2027 Opening
Hollywood River Studios plans to open portions of the facility for productions by late 2027. To meet that schedule, construction firm Spantech is fabricating the soundstages offsite before assembling them directly on the Wood River location. This modular construction method allows for a relatively fast build compared to traditional on-site assembly.
Wood River Facility Targets Production by Late 2027
- Location: Wood River, Illinois, approximately 15 miles north of St. Louis.
- Facility Size: 144,000 square feet of production space, including six soundstages, offices, and warehouses.
- Target Completion: Initial facilities expected to house productions by late 2027.
- Incentives: 35 percent base state tax credit, plus 5 percent for non-Chicago resident wages and 5 percent for green practices.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hollywood River Studios
What construction firm is building Hollywood River Studios?
Spantech is fabricating the soundstages offsite and assembling them on the Wood River location to accelerate the construction timeline.
What additional tax credits apply to the Wood River location?
Because Wood River sits outside the Chicago area, productions there qualify for an extra 5 percent tax credit on resident wages, adding to the state’s 35 percent base production credit.
How many soundstages will the completed studio feature?
The completed facility will house six soundstages spread across 144,000 square feet of total production space.
Related reading