$267M Film Hub in San Marcos Inches Toward Reality

It’s been three years since Hill Country Studios unveiled plans for a $267 million film and television production complex in San Marcos—a project hailed as a game-changer for Texas’ entertainment landscape. But progress has been uneven.

Permitting, planning, and funding challenges have stretched timelines well beyond initial projections. Despite this, CEO Cory McLoud insists the project is poised to move forward. “We’re shovel-ready,” McLoud told the Austin Business Journal. “We’ve completed design work, secured necessary approvals, and are in a strong position to begin construction.”

If all goes as planned, Hill Country Studios could break ground by early 2025, with core phases of the buildout completed by midyear. The studio campus, once realized, is expected to become the largest purpose-built production facility in Texas, offering soundstages, post-production suites, and creative office space designed to attract both major studios and indie productions.

While skeptics point to the missed milestones, supporters argue that the vision remains relevant—especially as the demand for domestic production capacity grows post-pandemic.

For now, the Hill Country Studios site remains undeveloped land. But with permits in place and leadership signaling readiness, the next 12 months could finally mark a pivotal shift from planning to progress.

Reference:
Austin Business Journal, “Three years later, here’s what’s happening with the proposed $267M Hill Country Studios in San Marcos,” May 2024.